The complaints against Duolingo allege that the app uses images of same-sex couples and families in its teaching materials, which the complainants argue is a violation of Russia’s “gay propaganda” law.
The investigation into Duolingo is just the latest example of the Russian government’s strict crackdown on LGBTQ rights. Earlier this month, the Russian Supreme Court labeled the international LGBT movement as extremist and banned information on LGBTQ relationships for adults.
[Edit typo.]
Why are these apps still available in Russia? It would be nice if the world shunned the deadly fascsist invaders a bit more effectively.
I don’t know how available international news are in russian language, so I’d give language learning apps a pass.
If they expose russians to queer propaganda, even better.
I don’t know how available international news are in russian language, so I’d give language learning apps a pass.
Exactly. I develop a popular news reader app and considered pulling it from the Russian App Store when the conflict started. Then I remembered that providing an RSS reader to Russians is probably a good way to give them access to a wider range of information and quickly decided against removing it.
being able to speak english is a good thing and should be the norm worldwide.
hope putin stops, i don’t care how it happens. this man needs to stop being able to breathe asap.
Good point!
Let’s be real, it’s probably because Ukrainian became one of the most popular languages when the war started
There was one place where a man was referred to as having a male spouse, but I just took it as “pay attention to the words and don’t be lazy!”
But if they are determined to paint it red, then red it will appear.
You may not have realized it yet, but you actually got gay from that seemingly innocent byte-sized language lesson.
@0x815 This aspect will be a crucial factor in companies choosing to stay in Russia or leave it, even despite sanctions. They will have to balance the peer and society pressure in the West for big tech companies to be more inclusive to discriminated minorities to Russia’s clampdown on such minorities. Many bigger companies could target their content differently, like are doing in countries like in Saudi Arabia. Others may not - either because they don’t want, or they do not have the resources to do it.
As a side note, if Roskomnadzor ever comes to Beehaw, just tell them a friendly Romanian wishes them a warm FUCK YOU! and that the return of Romanian gold is due.
