Recently, both Turkey and Russia banned the popular communication platform, Discord. This move has caused frustration among gamers, developers, and creative teams who rely on Discord for daily collaboration and communication.
Why Did Turkey Ban Discord?
Turkey banned Discord because the platform refused to share information with authorities investigating crimes related to child abuse and obscenity. Turkish officials requested data such as user IP addresses, but Discord did not comply. As a result, the government decided to block access to the platform, emphasizing that they only step in when users report harmful content.
Russia’s Ban on Discord
Russia, on the other hand, banned Discord for not removing over 1,000 pieces of illegal content according to its laws. The country has been cracking down on foreign platforms, banning sites like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Now, Discord has joined that list, cutting off a key tool for communication within the country.
How Does This Affect Developers and Creatives?
The bans in Turkey and Russia have made life difficult for many gaming studios and developers. Discord is a vital tool for managing projects, sharing files, and communicating in real time. Without it, many teams are struggling to find alternatives that offer the same features.
One game developer in Turkey, Meric Eryuyek, said the ban has disrupted communication between studios in different countries. Using a VPN to access Discord is an option, but VPN use is illegal in Turkey, making things even more complicated for those trying to work around the ban.
Discord’s Response
Discord acknowledged the situation and is looking into reports of being blocked in both countries. However, users in Turkey and Russia are still uncertain about the future of the platform in their regions. Many have resorted to VPNs, though this is a risky solution, especially in places where VPNs are banned.
The ban on Discord in Turkey and Russia is part of a growing trend where governments are taking stricter action against online platforms that don’t comply with their rules. For gamers and developers, this means finding new ways to communicate and collaborate, while facing legal risks for trying to access the platform.
As governments and tech companies continue to clash, users are left wondering whether platforms like Discord can return, or if they will need to adapt to a new reality.