Snapchat Blocked, FaceTime Curbed in Russia

Russia has escalated its control over digital communication by blocking access to Snapchat and imposing heavy restrictions on Apple’s FaceTime. The move was confirmed by Roskomnadzor, the country’s internet regulator, which claimed that both platforms had been used to facilitate terrorist activities, recruit individuals, commit fraud, and enable other criminal acts. Authorities cited law-enforcement findings to justify the immediate crackdown.

Officials disclosed that Snapchat had actually been blocked earlier, on October 10, though the decision was not made public until now. Restrictions on Apple’s FaceTime followed shortly after, impacting both video and audio calling features across Russia. Users began reporting connectivity failures within hours of the announcement.

This development is part of a broader and long-running campaign by the Russian government to limit the influence of foreign-controlled digital platforms. Over recent years, services including WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and YouTube have faced varying levels of restriction or oversight, with authorities frequently invoking national security, data-localization demands, or compliance concerns.

Critics argue that the latest bans are intended to push users toward government-endorsed domestic alternatives. One such platform is MAX, a home-grown messaging and services app promoted by Russian authorities. However, privacy advocates warn that MAX does not offer strong encryption and may provide opportunities for state surveillance.

While some users are attempting to bypass the restrictions using VPNs, Roskomnadzor has intensified efforts to block many VPN providers, making circumvention increasingly difficult. Technical experts say the government’s filtering capabilities have grown significantly over the past year.

The bans on Snapchat and FaceTime represent another major step in Russia’s tightening grip on digital communication. As the country moves to assert greater control over internet traffic and foreign tech platforms, concerns about censorship and privacy continue to mount among users and civil rights organizations.