In Russia, under an investigation set to determine whether Russian laws against promoting homosexuality have been violated, Facebook’s gay-themed emojis could become banned within the country. 
The investigation, which could possibly result in the entire social media platform being banned, began following a complaint from Mikhail Marchenko, a senator in Russia’s upper house parliament. According to Marchenko, the Facebook emojis that show cartoon same-sex couples violate a controversial 2013 law against “homosexual propaganda” among minors.
“These emojis of non-traditional sexual orientation are seen by all users of the social network, a large portion of whom are minors,” said Senator Marchenko. “But propaganda of homosexuality is banned under the laws and under the pillars of tradition that exist here in our country.”
?❤️?? Two Men Kissing and ?❤️?? Two Women Kissing Emojis. New in iOS 8.3. pic.twitter.com/h23uELm9vO
— Emoji ⭐ (@GetEmoji) April 8, 2015
To Senator Marchenko, these cartoon gay-themed emoticons are therefore considered a threat to Russian children, ultimately making the matter an issue of “high social significance.”
The complaint was made in the form of a written appeal to The Federal Service For Supervision of Communication, Information Technology and Mass Media, which is known in Russia as Roskomnadzor. As a result, the federal agency has asked Young Guard, the main youth group of president Vladimir Putin’s political party, to investigate.
If the ongoing investigation concludes that Facebook’s emojis are a threat to Russia’s youth, the authorities are prepared to take “reactive measures” against the social media platform. Under Russian law, authorities are able to block access to websites that appear to promote homosexuality.
Despite the fact that Twitter and Apple feature similar icons, it appears Facebook emojis are the Roskomnadzor’s sole target. In 2012, Apple added emojis depicting same-sex couples to its operating systems. In a more recent update, emojis showing gay couples with children were also introduced to Apple’s new operating system.
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