U.S.-based online gaming platform Roblox has pledged to introduce changes to its services in Russia in an effort to overturn a recent government ban, citing compliance with Russian child safety and digital content laws.
Earlier this month, Russia’s communications watchdog Roskomnadzor blocked access to Roblox, stating that the platform violated regulations designed to protect minors online. The decision, announced on December 3, sparked frustration among Russian gamers and led to a rare public protest by young users in the Siberian city of Tomsk.
According to the Russian news agency, Roskomnadzor confirmed that Roblox has contacted the regulator and expressed its willingness to align its platform with Russian internet regulations. The watchdog stated that it would engage with Roblox if the company demonstrates a genuine commitment to improving online child safety and content moderation.
“If this is not merely a declaration but a real readiness to revise its approach to protecting children online, Roskomnadzor will work with the platform as it does with any service that complies with Russian law,” the regulator said.
A Roblox spokesperson confirmed the outreach in a statement to Reuters, saying the company is prepared to temporarily restrict certain communication features in Russia and enhance its content moderation systems to meet legal requirements necessary to restore user access.
The spokesperson added that Roblox plans to maintain ongoing discussions with Roskomnadzor, including talks about additional compliance measures that could be introduced over time. However, no timeline was provided for when the Roblox ban in Russia might be lifted.
On Wednesday, users in Moscow attempting to access the platform reported encountering a blank screen accompanied by a “checking updates” message, suggesting that access remains restricted.
Roblox has previously faced bans in countries such as Turkey and Iraq, where authorities raised concerns about the platform being exploited by online predators. The company has consistently stated that it respects national laws and prioritizes user safety, child protection, and digital wellbeing.
If access to Roblox is restored, it would represent a rare compromise in Russia’s ongoing disputes with major U.S. technology companies. Since the start of the Ukraine conflict, Russia has tightened wartime internet censorship, blocking or limiting foreign platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, YouTube, and Apple’s FaceTime.
Russian officials argue these restrictions are necessary to counter what they describe as an “information war” from Western nations and to protect traditional values from foreign cultural influence.
Despite the bans, many Russian users bypass restrictions using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). This has led to public debate, particularly among young Russians, over the effectiveness of digital censorship and the lack of competitive Russian-made alternatives to popular Western apps.
Concerns have also been raised by Russian parents and educators regarding Roblox’s potential exposure of children to inappropriate content and interactions with adults. Roskomnadzor said Roblox committed to removing “destructive and dangerous information” and preventing illegal activities and unsafe communications on the platform.
In response, Roblox reiterated its stance, stating that it employs robust, proactive safety systems designed to detect and prevent harmful content, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to creating a safe online gaming environment for children and teens worldwide.
