Russia has just banned access to the Discord messaging platform on its territory, joining other social networks like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) already blocked since the start of the war in Ukraine. This surprising move raises questions, as the Russian military itself uses Discord for communications.
Russia’s internet regulator accuses Discord of spreading extremist content, including child sexual exploitation material. These allegations serve as the official justification for blocking the platform. However, the real motivations for this decision remain unclear. Recently, Türkiye also blocked Discord, but for different reasons. For their part, Turkish authorities criticize the company for its refusal to share users’ personal data with the government. A situation similar to that of Telegram which led to the arrest of its leader Pavel Durov in France this summer.
A paradox for the Russian army
The blocking of Discord in Russia creates a paradoxical situation for the country’s army. Indeed, Russian military forces frequently use this application to coordinate their internal communications. As the army did not have its own secure platforms for instant messaging, Discord had established itself as a practical and effective tool.
This reliance on a foreign application highlights the Russian military’s technological shortcomings in the area of secure communications. Blocking Discord could therefore have unforeseen consequences on the operational effectiveness of the armed forces, forcing them to quickly find alternatives.
Discord reacts and investigates…
Faced with this situation, Discord posted a message on its status site indicating that it is aware of the access issues reported in Russia and Turkey. The company said its teams were investigating the reports, without providing further details at this time.
For millions of Russian Discord users, this blockage represents a significant loss. The platform is particularly popular with online gaming communities, but also used by many groups to communicate and collaborate remotely. Nearly 40 million users are affected out of the 200 million monthly users of the platform worldwide.
This decision is part of a broader context of strengthening control of the internet by the Russian authorities. Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, Moscow has increased measures aimed at restricting access to information and foreign social networks.
The blocking of Discord comes in particular after a series of restrictions imposed on VPN services (virtual private networks) in Russia. These tools, which make it possible to circumvent online censorship, are increasingly targeted by authorities who seek to limit their use.
To go further
What is the best VPN in 2024?
The Discord ban naturally raises concerns about freedom of expression and access to information in Russia. The platform was one of the last relatively free online communication spaces in the country, allowing open exchanges between Russian and foreign users.
This blockage could push many users towards less secure alternatives or the use of VPNs, despite the associated legal risks. It is likely that this measure will also reinforce the fragmentation of the internet, with the Russian web increasingly isolated from the rest of the world.
