7mo ago

Duolingo, a free language learning app, has removed all LGBT-related content from its platform in Russia

novayagazeta.eu Duolingo removes all LGBT content from its app in Russia — Novaya Gazeta Europe

Duolingo, a free language learning app, has removed all LGBT-related content from its platform in Russia, state news agency TASS reported on Tuesday.

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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.

23 comments

I'm going to say first off that this is kind of depressing. That said, after my initial knee-jerk reaction of "fuck you, Duolingo," it occurs to me that is might be a better outcome than them pulling out of Russia altogether.
Providing Russian citizens easy access to language learning provides them access to non-Russian media and non-Russian discourse on queer issues.
In my own experience, learning a language as an adult has taken place in ~3 stages: 1. learn from instructional material exclusively, 2. consume foreign language material with native-language support/tools, 3. learn more of the language via context. If having an app available to folks in an oppressive country helps them get through stage 1 and into 2/3, it gives them a chance to escape the hateful discourse of the regime... In theory.
On the other hand, maybe it's just capitalists being capitalists.
- On the other hand, maybe it’s just capitalists being capitalists.
  If you are found to distribute "LGBT propaganda” by a Russian court, you can end up in prison for 15 years.
- I like this take. If anything, languages knowledge helps with dialogue, not only thanks to speaking the language. Seeing how language and history interacts between peoples gives a better understanding of the complex modern contexts.

Yeah fuck Duolingo. Still wanted a piece of that market so they caved to autocratic pressure rather than pulling out. Weak.
- Duolingo is a for-profit company, that is their job
  
  that's a shit excuse
  
  Weak
- They do not have any profit in « that market » because app is demonetized in Russia and Belorussia though

Waiting patiently for a wise hexbear to explain why all LGBT people are 90% Nazis and they deserved this or whatever.
- Wait...90% of Hexbear isn't gay?
  
  Black Republicans exist.
  That's all you really need to know.
  
  Yeah but tankie apologism takes precedence

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?
- 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.
- Money makes cowards
- As per their ceo, they want to provide access to education to all (which is good since educated people are less likely to believe propaganda) and they do not monetize the app in that country in any way, which means no taxes going to putins pocket.
  People are quick to jump to conclusions but they’re right here.

Just deleted my account, thanks duo for your bad service 🙃

What does "platform in Russia" mean? Is it some kind of dedicated site?
- Most multinational web apps will have different deployments for different countries.
  Locating the servers geographically closer to the users reduces latencies and costs.
  Running different deployments allow them to tailor more closely to local regulations, without having it impact everyone else
  
  So the content people get on the site is based on their IP? It sounds unfair for me. Anyways, Doulingo is useless for me since they removed discussion completely. I suggest people to boycott Duolingo due to their homophobic decision.

Russia took down a statue of Steve Jobs when Tim Apple (I mean Tim Cook) came out. What a stupid reaction. But I guess that means Jobs was sucking dick by proxy, so…

23 comments