Duolingo Under Investigation for Spreading ‘LGBTQ+ Propaganda’

Language learning app, Duolingo, is under investigation in Russia for spreading “LGBTQ+ propaganda” in their lesson plans.

Duolingo is the most popular app used to learn languages for free, with over 500 million users registered. The app has 38 different languages available to learn through inclusive lesson plans. 

Duolingo has intentionally and vocally been queer-inclusive in its lessons. Their blog says “Duolingo believes deeply in diversity and representation. This made it a no-brainer to include all types of characters of different ages, ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientations.” This prioritization of inclusivity has created queer characters Lin, Bea, and Oscar. However, these characters are not sensationalized, as their sexual orientation is just another aspect of who they are. They make it so “LGBTQ character[s] exist without specifically drawing attention to that identity,” according to their blog.

This simple queer inclusion has incited an investigation in Russia, out of fear the app is “turning people Gay.” Radtel, a group whose mission is to protect “public morality, culture, and traditional values”, reported Duolingo is spreading “LGBTQ+ propaganda” and is unfit for children to use. The app is under investigation by Russia’s media regulatory authority, Roskomnadzor (RKN). The investigation will see if Duolingo breaks Article 5 of Russia’s law “On the Protection of Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development.”

Russia has censored “LGBTQ+ propaganda” since 2013 and banned gender-affirming surgery in 2023. The Russian Supreme Court ruled that the international gay rights movement is an “extremist threat”, and people found spreading propaganda could face a 6-10 year prison sentence.

Duolingo’s investigation shows how censorship comes at the cost of education. The banning of books in the United States has a similar detrimental impact on learning. Censorship disregards the freedom to learn to try to uphold uniformity. Though of course, Queer people will continue to exist within and outside of Russia, even if Duolingo and other inclusive companies are illegalized.