How To Access Discord In Russia With a VPN

On October 8th, Discord is officially banned in the Russian Federation, according to Russian media sources. It is reported that the service of Discord has been malfunctioning since mid-September, and the Russian regulator plans to "slow it down" and then block it. Discover more details behind it and how to cope with the new situation.

Why is Discord banned in Russia?

Russia officially banned Discord on October 8, 2024. The ban was announced by Roskomnadzor, the country's telecommunications regulator, citing violations of Russian laws, particularly concerning the prevention of the use of messaging services for terrorist and extremist purposes. Discord had failed to comply with an order to remove nearly 1,000 pieces of content that were deemed illegal, which contributed to the decision to block the platform. 

Ever since mid-September, users in Russia have reported interruptions and outages on the platform leading to speculation that authorities are considering slowing down its service. Anonymous sources in the gaming industry noted that the industry is discussing the issue of specially slowing down the service in the Russian Federation. As the experts interviewed note, the service has become the main platform for video game developer communities over the past couple of years. With between 29 and 40 million active users in Russia, the situation has prompted discussions within the gaming industry about finding alternatives now that the platform has been banned.

How to access Discord with a VPN in Russia?

If the access to Discord is unavailable in Russia, you will need a VPN for Discord. Here is the solution:

1. Download TurboVPN for free across your devices:

2.Subscribe to a plan that suits your preference.

3. Connect to a server outside of Russia(Servers in the United States, the Uk or Singapore are reccomended for Discord is functioning normally in these countries)

4. Access Discord without worrying!

Other social media platforms facing challenges in Russia

Several social media platforms are currently facing challenges in Russia, primarily due to government regulations and censorship, so it's important to call to action when the wind shifts:

YouTube

YouTube has experienced significant disruptions, with users reporting slower loading speeds and widespread outages. After August, YouTube in the Russian region can not be loading normally due to a significant restriction on Internet speed. The Russian authorities have expressed dissatisfaction with the platform, particularly after it blocked numerous pro-Kremlin channels, leading to speculation about a potential complete ban. For more details on how to address the issue, check out our guide on how-to-access-YouTube to help you understand more.

Whatsapp

Additionally, WhatsApp have faced restrictions, with reports suggesting that the Kremlin is considering further actions against these messaging apps. By now, WhatsApp can no longer be downloaded from the Russian APP Store, but the use of it still functions normally. The overall trend indicates a tightening grip on social media platforms as the Russian government seeks to control information flow and limit access to foreign content.

Meta

Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram) has recently banned Russian state media outlets from its platforms due to allegations of foreign interference and disinformation campaigns. Overall, these platforms are navigating a challenging environment as the Russian government intensifies its control over online content and communication.