October 9, 2024 at 09:42AM
Discord has been blocked in Russia and Turkey due to illegal activities linked to the platform, impacting legitimate users. Russian authorities cited violations of national legislation, while Turkey’s blockage stemmed from content related to child abuse. Users can temporarily bypass the ban using VPNs, though effectiveness varies and legal risks exist.
**Meeting Takeaways: Discord Blocked in Russia and Turkey**
1. **Sudden Blockage**: Discord has been blocked in Russia and Turkey since yesterday, impacting legitimate users who can no longer access the platform without a VPN or proxy.
2. **Reasons for Blocking**:
– **Russia**: Roskomnadzor cited violations of national legislation related to preventing the use of Discord for illegal activities, such as terrorism and drug sales.
– **Turkey**: The blocking follows a court decision linked to content involving child abuse and obscenity. Concerns regarding national security and the platform’s role in organizing protests were also highlighted.
3. **User Reports**: Many users have taken to Reddit to express their inability to use Discord without a VPN, with varying success reported in bypassing the block.
4. **Official Statements**:
– Anton Gorelkin from the Russian State Duma indicated that Discord’s refusal to comply with local laws prompted the blocking.
– Yilmaz Tunc, Turkish Minister of Justice, mentioned that Discord violated specific legal articles relating to obscenity and child abuse.
5. **Challenges with VPNs**: Users have reported mixed results using VPNs to access Discord; while some VPNs work, others do not. Additionally, the use of VPNs in these countries carries potential legal risks.
6. **Request for Comment**: BleepingComputer has reached out to Discord for a statement regarding the block and will provide updates once a response is received.
**Next Steps**: Monitor updates on the situation from both Discord and local governments, and consider exploring alternative communication platforms for users in affected regions.