Duolingo removes LGBT references in Russia following a warning by Moscow.
Last year, Russia broadened its restrictions on the promotion of what it calls LGBT propaganda as part of a larger effort to curtail LGBT rights. President Vladimir Putin has tried to present these actions as proof of moral decline in Western nations.
Roskomnadzor, Russia's telecommunications regulator, sent a warning to Duolingo about publishing content promoting non-conventional sexual relationships and LGBT propaganda.
A Duolingo spokesperson stated, "We support LGBTQ+ rights and believe in increasing representation of the LGBTQ+ community in our content."
However, due to local laws, they had to remove certain content in Russia. Duolingo strives to make high-quality education accessible worldwide and remains committed to maintaining their product's availability wherever it's legal.
Russia has labeled the "LGBT movement" as extremist and those who support it as terrorists, opening the door for serious criminal charges against LGBT individuals and their allies.
Russian news outlets reported that Duolingo responded to Roskomnadzor's letter by confirming the deletion of content promoting non-traditional sexual relationships from its learning app.
Russian courts have penalized those breaking its "LGBT propaganda" law, including online film distributors and executives.
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Following the warning from Roskomnadzor, Duolingo had to modify its content in Russia to comply with local laws regarding LGBTQ+ representation in tech business. Despite this, the company continues to explore opportunities in the tech industry, such as the potential market launch for hologram telephony.
