Steam Block in Russia Raises Questions About Access to Digital Games

Roskomnadzor, the Russian regulator, has expanded its censorship by adding the Steam community website to the list of blocked resources. The block is linked to a decision issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on February 22, 2024, and it follows prior actions in 2015 when Steam was previously placed on the banned sites list. For Russian users, this restriction can cut access to key features of Steam, including user profiles, friends lists, the Workshop, and the Marketplace. The reasons behind the blocking were not officially disclosed, though reports from the Telegram channel Baza note the blocking to be connected with content alleged to promote drug use. A representative from the ministry reportedly cited a page that contained twenty reasons for using drugs as the trigger for the blockage. Steam is an American digital distribution service for computer games, launched by Valve in 2003. By late 2023, it boasted more than 130 million monthly active users worldwide, establishing its position as a leading platform in its niche. In the past, Steam has hosted various demonstrations and early versions of games, including a demo of Kiborg featuring a rebel character from the planet Sigma. This historical context helps explain why the platform, with its global reach and large community, commands attention in discussions about access restrictions, digital distribution, and the balance between online content regulation and consumer rights in Russia. The current situation underscores how changes in policy can affect players, developers, and digital storefront ecosystems, illustrating the broader conversation around online platforms, moderation, and national information controls. Observers continue to monitor developments, as the landscape for international game distribution and user communities remains dynamic and geographically diverse. For users affected by the block, questions about alternatives, data portability, and the continuity of online social connections remain central to ongoing conversations about digital access and platform policy in the region. This episode also highlights the ongoing debate around how effectively policy measures align with consumer expectations and the practical implications for gaming communities worldwide. The situation should be watched closely by gamers, developers, and policymakers who are navigating the evolving intersection of entertainment, digital services, and regulatory oversight. (Baza Telegram channel)