Russia continues tech crackdown by blocking Snapchat, FaceTime access

In a recent move by Moscow to tighten control over the country’s internet and online communications, Russian authorities have blocked access to Snapchat and Apple’s FaceTime video calling service.

Russian state internet regulator Roskomnadzor accused both platforms of being used to “organize and carry out terrorist acts within the country” and to “recruit perpetrators” for criminal acts in separate announcements on Thursday.

Although it was only made public this week, the regulator claimed that it took the decision on October 10. Snap Inc., the parent company of Apple, has yet to comment on the move.

Following Russia’s massive invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Snapchat, a messaging app for sharing photos, videos, and text messages, announced it was suspending sales of advertisements to Russian and Belarusian media users in recognition of the “resilience of the Ukrainian people.”

Under President Vladimir Putin, Russian authorities have made deliberate and multifaceted efforts to encircle the internet. Platforms and websites have been banned for breaking strict laws, while technology has been refined to monitor and control online traffic.

Authorities have blocked the major social media platforms X (previously Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, but these efforts have only grown since the war started.

Last year, experts claimed that authorities had purposefully thwarted the site, which had been a source of controversy. Google, a YouTube owner, is held accountable by the Kremlin for maintaining its hardware in Russia.

More than 50 million Russians visit the site every day, which is one of the last significant free expression centers in Russia and where many Kremlin critics still speak.

In addition to blocking calls made using WhatsApp and Telegram, Russia’s first and second most widely used messaging app, in August, in 2024, authorities also blocked the popular app Viber and encrypted messenger Signal.

Roskomnadzor once more defended the measures, claiming that the platforms were being used for criminal activity.   if WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta Platforms, refuses to provide information to law enforcement in cases of fraud and “terrorism,” the regulator threatened to impose a total ban on the service last week.

Russian authorities are increasingly preventing access to virtual private network (VPN) services, which were once effective for eludeing online restrictions.

The Kremlin has promoted its own “national” messenger app, MAX, while retaliating against foreign technology. MAX, a state-controlled tech company founded by VK, has been hailed as a one-stop shop for messaging, government services, and making payments.

Moscow claims that MAX protects users from fraud and creates a “safer” digital ecosystem, but critics claim it could be used to track users. Since September 1, it has been required on all brand-new smartphones and tablets sold in Russia.