[Discussion] Russia Bans Discord: Military Communication and Operations Affected

[Uncrowned Guard]

Russia Imposes Ban on Discord, an Essential Communication Tool for its Military

Russia has made the decision to prohibit the usage of the chat platform Discord, as per Washington Post reports. This software joins the ranks of other platforms like Facebook and X, which have been inaccessible in the nation since the outbreak of its conflict with Ukraine. The unexpected twist here is that the Russian military has been using Discord to streamline communications, given the absence of its own secure messaging platforms.

Accusations by Russian Internet Regulator and Impact on Military Operations

Roskomnadzor, the Russian Internet regulator, reportedly blamed Discord for propagating extremist content, including child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Following the ban by Russia, Turkey mirrored the move, blocking access to the app as the result of Discord's refusal to share user data with the government. Concerning military operations, Russian forces were known to use Discord in coordinating drone attacks--an application that came to an abrupt halt following the recent prohibition. The decision to ban presents a paradox, as it disrupts the activities of the very military it was expected to protect.

The Underlying Reason for Ban and Its Implications on Front Lines

Roskomnadzor justified the prohibition citing that Discord failed to remove 947 instances of “illegal material” despite several requests. Furthermore, Discord faced a fine of $100,000 due to its inability to regulate user-posted content and remove child sexual abuse images. This decision hasn’t been without critics, including Russian legislators who voiced concern about the wide use of the platform within Russia, especially by students and online tutors, and a likely impact on the front lines in Ukraine. Discord, known for its high-quality video delivery, had been particularly useful for military operations enabling both Kyiv and Moscow's troops to coordinate drone operations. Reports indicate disruptions in drone operations of numerous units due to the ban, suggesting a step-back in Russian forces. The unlikely event of the ban, which has been heavily criticized among Russian pundits, is set against the lockdown on Western websites and social media since the belligerency began, leading to increasing pressures on domestic platforms.

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