Popular language-learning platform Duolingo has deleted all references to LGBT relationships in the Russian version of its app after coming under pressure from Moscow’s State communication regulator.
Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, abbreviated as Roskomnadzor (RKN), had written to the American company warning them against publishing material that showcased “non-traditional sexual relationships” and LGBT “propaganda”, which they class as “extremism”.
“We support LGBTQ+ rights and believe in normalising LGBTQ+ representation in our content,” a Duolingo spokesperson said, as reported by Reuters.
“Unfortunately, local laws prohibit us from including certain content in Russia.
“Duolingo’s mission is to expand access to quality education around the world and we’re committed to maintaining access to our product everywhere that is legal to do so.”
The Russian regulator subsequently confirmed that the LGBT content had been removed.
“The company Duolingo sent Roskomnadzor a letter in response, in which it confirmed that it had deleted materials promoting non-traditional sexual relations from its training app,” Russian news agencies quoted Roskomnadzor as saying.
In March of this year, Russia added the “LGBT movement” to a list of extremist and terrorist organisations, specifically referring to “international LGBT social movement and its structural units”. Simply displaying a rainbow LGBT flag could risk incurring legal penalties.
Other “extremist” organisations officially listed by the Russian State include Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta (formerly Facebook), and late Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who died in prison in February of this year at the age of just 47-years-old, along with commonly proscribed groups like al-Qaeda.
Those designated as “extremists” can have their bank accounts and assets frozen, among other penalties.