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Duolingo, a free language learning app, has removed all LGBT-related content from its platform in Russia (novayagazeta.eu)

submitted 3 months ago by 0x815@feddit.de to c/lgbtq_plus@lemmy.blahaj.zone

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Duolingo sent a letter to Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor, the watchdog confirmed in a statement, saying it had “removed all materials promoting non-traditional sexual relationships”, Russia state-cobtrolled Tass reported.

The decision came after Roskomnadzor confirmed it would check Duolingo for “LGBT propaganda” in February after a request from Radetel, a self-described “traditional values” advocacy group that found “same-sex dialogue” in the app’s lessons.

Following Radetel’s request, the head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Alexander Khinshtein, threatened to block Duolingo in Russia, adding that Duolingo should “immediately deal with this unpleasant problem”.

Duolingo’s removal of LGBT content is only the latest example of Russia’s continued censorship of the LGBT community, prompted by legislation providing for fines of up to 4 million rubles for disseminating so-called “LGBT propaganda”.

In November 2023, Russia’s Supreme Court ruled that the “international LGBT movement” qualified as an “extremist organisation”, effectively banning it and making pro-LGBT activity punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

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[–] casmael@lemm.ee 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Yeah fuck Duolingo. Still wanted a piece of that market so they caved to autocratic pressure rather than pulling out. Weak.

[–] onion@feddit.de 0 points 3 months ago

Duolingo is a for-profit company, that is their job

[–] JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Why doesn't it have the guts, like Signal has threatened to leave the EU if ChatControl is implemented, to simply withdraw from Russia if they make unreasonable demands like that?

[–] Kacarott@feddit.de 0 points 3 months ago

The way I see it is that Signal's primary ""mission"" is to provide secure, private communication. Chat control presumably would mean they could not fulfill their mission, so they should rather pull out.

For Duolingo, their mission to provide easy access language learning is not directly impacted by the rules in Russia. Even if all the employees are against the rules in Russia, Duolingo can still provide language learning in Russia, which they might see as a worthwhile endeavour.

After all, afaik Duolingo being available is not actually beneficial for the Russian government, as it's another way for money to leave Russia ( ? I think), and makes it easier for Russians to get a wider worldview.