Duolingo Removes LGBT Content in Russia Amid Crackdown

Language learning app Duolingo has complied with Russia's crackdown on 'non-traditional sexual relations' by removing LGBT-related content. Following a warning from Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, Duolingo confirmed it deleted the materials. This comes amid broader restrictions under Russia's 'LGBT propaganda' law and related fines for violators.

Language learning app Duolingo has deleted references in Russia to what Moscow calls "non-traditional sexual relations" after being warned by Russia's communications regulator about publishing LGBT content classed as "extremism". Russia last year widened restrictions on the promotion of what it calls LGBT propaganda amid a broader crackdown on LGBT rights, which President Vladimir Putin has sought to portray as evidence of moral decay in Western countries.

Roskomnadzor, Russia's communications regulator, had written to Duolingo, warning it against publishing material promoting non-traditional sexual relations and LGBT propaganda. Duolingo's media and investor relations teams did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Russia has designated the "LGBT movement" as extremist and those supporting it as terrorists, paving the way for serious criminal cases against LGBT people and their advocates. "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 on Tuesday.

Russian courts have issued fines for those that violate its "LGBT propaganda" law, including online film distributors and executives.