June 5 (Reuters) - Language learning app Duolingo ( DUOL )

has deleted references in Russia to what Moscow calls

"non-traditional sexual relations" after being warned by

Russia's communications regulator about publishing LGBT content

classed as "extremism".

Russia last year widened restrictions on the promotion of

what it calls LGBT propaganda amid a broader crackdown on LGBT

rights, which President Vladimir Putin has sought to portray as

evidence of moral decay in Western countries.

Roskomnadzor, Russia's communications regulator, had written

to Duolingo ( DUOL ), warning it against publishing material promoting

non-traditional sexual relations and LGBT propaganda.

"We support LGBTQ+ rights and believe in normalizing LGBTQ+

representation in our content," a Duolingo ( DUOL ) spokesperson said.

"Unfortunately, local laws prohibit us from including

certain content in Russia. Duolingo's ( DUOL ) mission is to expand

access to quality education around the world and we're committed

to maintaining access to our product everywhere that is legal to

do so."

Russia has designated the "LGBT movement" as extremist and

those supporting it as terrorists, paving the way for serious

criminal cases against LGBT people and their advocates.

"The company Duolingo ( DUOL ) sent Roskomnadzor a letter in

response, in which it confirmed that it had deleted materials

promoting non-traditional sexual relations from its training

app," Russian news agencies quoted Roskomnadzor as saying on

Tuesday.

Russian courts have issued fines for those that violate its

"LGBT propaganda" law, including online film distributors and

executives.