FaceTime and Snapchat Calls Now Banned in Russia Amid Expanding Internet Control

December 5, 2025

New Delhi: Russian authorities on Thursday confirmed imposing restrictions on Apple’s video-calling service FaceTime, marking yet another move to tighten control over digital communication. State internet regulator Roskomnadzor claimed the service was being used for terror recruitment, criminal coordination, and fraud. Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Alongside FaceTime, the regulator also revealed that Snapchat has been blocked, stating the decision had been executed on October 10 but only disclosed now.

Expanding Digital Crackdown Under Putin

In recent years, Russia has systematically moved toward state-controlled internet governance. The approach includes restrictive laws, platform bans, and advanced monitoring technologies.

• Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram were blocked after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
• YouTube suffered disruptions, which experts believe were deliberate throttling—though the Kremlin blamed Google for technical failures.
• VPN services, often used to bypass censorship, are frequently targeted and blocked.

Messaging Apps & Surveillance Push

The crackdown intensified this year as authorities restricted internet access through widespread cellular shutdowns, a move officials justified as a defense mechanism against Ukrainian drone strikes.

Messaging platforms have faced increasing pressure:

• Signal and Viber were blocked in 2024.
• Calls on WhatsApp and Telegram were banned this year for “criminal misuse.”

Meanwhile, Russia is promoting a homegrown messaging platform, MAX, criticized as a state surveillance tool. The app publicly states it will share data with authorities and reportedly lacks end-to-end encryption.

Earlier this week, the government also blocked Roblox, citing concerns over child safety and alleged grooming risks.

Regulatory Framework Behind the Bans

Cybersecurity expert Stanislav Seleznev told The Associated Press that Russian law classifies any platform offering messaging as an “organizer of information distribution.”

Such platforms must comply by:

• Registering with Roskomnadzor
• Providing the FSB access to private user data

Failure to comply leads to blocking—likely the reason FaceTime and Roblox faced action.

Roblox was Russia’s second most-used gaming platform, with nearly 8 million users in October.

Seleznev estimated tens of millions of Russians relied on FaceTime, especially after bans on WhatsApp and Telegram calling. He described the recent restrictions as “predictable”, warning:

“Any platform refusing cooperation with Roskomnadzor will eventually be blocked.”