Full Breakdown
Russia Lifts Six-Month Ban on Roblox After Compliance Deal
6/12/2026, 5:33:37 AM
Roblox Access Restored Nationwide
On 10 June 2026 Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media announced that Roblox is again reachable after the ministry asked law-enforcement to lift the ban following Roblox’s pledge to meet Russian child-protection rules.
Background and Ban Rationale
Roskomnadzor blocked Roblox on 3 December 2025, accusing it of extremist content, sexual harassment of minors, and “LGBT propaganda” deemed harmful. At that time Roblox ranked third among children’s apps after TikTok.
Timeline of Key Steps
The ban began 3 December 2025. Tomsk protests followed in December. In January 2026 the Safe Internet League recorded 63 000 letters, half urging emigration. An 8 million-ruble fine was levied in April. Roblox engaged Roskomnadzor in early June, offering limited communication and moderation changes. The ministry requested a lift on 9 June; access resumed on 10 June.
Key Actors and Data Snapshot
The Ministry of Digital Development and Roskomnadzor led talks; Roblox’s spokesperson handled compliance; Ekaterina Mizulina heads the Safe Internet League; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented; Kaspersky Lab supplied usage data. Roblox reports ~151 million daily users worldwide, ~18 million in Russia, and was the third-most used children’s app in early 2025. The ban generated 63 000 protest letters and an 8 million-ruble fine. In United States, 80 child-exploitation suits and a $12 million Nevada settlement are pending; Roblox shares rose 5.37 % on 9 June 2026.
Official Statements
The ministry said it appealed to law-enforcement after Roblox gave guarantees of responsible conduct. Roblox’s spokesperson said the company would limit communication features and revise moderation to meet legal requirements. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted the case shows any service can resume operations if it complies with the law.
Public Opposition
Tens of thousands of children and parents sent 63 000 letters; half urged leaving Russia. Small Tomsk protests displayed “Hands off Roblox” signs, showing discontent.
Conflicting Accounts
Sources differ on whether extremist/harassment claims or LGBT-propaganda concerns drove the ban. Authorities have not disclosed content categories required for suppression or whether compliance applies only to Russian accounts.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In connection with the guarantees of responsible conduct in the Russian market provided by Roblox, the Ministry of Digital Development, together ?with Roskomnadzor, has appealed to the relevant law enforcement authorities with a request to support the lifting of restrictions,” — Ministry of Digital Development, Russia
- “Roblox has also committed to continuing to combat the spread of undesirable content on the platform,” — Ministry of Digital Development statement
- “to temporarily limit communication features in Russia and to revise our content moderation processes to address the legal requirements necessary to restore our community's access to the platform.” — Roblox spokesperson
- “It shows that any service can resume operations if it complies with the law.” — Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson
Outlook
Russian regulators will monitor Roblox’s age-gating and moderation compliance, setting a precedent for other platforms seeking re-entry under the anti-LGBT propaganda framework and clashing with the EU Digital Services Act.