Alleged Restrictions on Snapchat and FaceTime in Russia

Platforms Accused of Facilitating Unlawful Activities

In a move reported by Bloomberg and based on information from Interfax, Russia's media oversight body, Roskomnadzor, has decided to halt access to Snapchat and FaceTime within its borders. The official rationale links these services to purportedly aiding in terrorist operations and fraudulent activities.

The availability of these platforms through VPNs remains uncertain. However, this action aligns with a broader Russian initiative to impose more control over social communications, a campaign that intensified following its 2022 Ukraine incursion. Early bans included notable platforms like Facebook and X, with Instagram joining the prohibition list soon thereafter. The encrypted app Signal was prohibited in 2024, and a recent warning in July 2025 indicates a possible block of WhatsApp.

Engadget has sought responses from Apple and Snap concerning the restrictions, with updates to be communicated as available.

Efforts to Command Conversational Spaces

Limiting access to these digital platforms serves to regulate where and how discourse can occur in the region. Official rhetoric from Roskomnadzor has previously justified such bans with accusations of disseminating 'LGBT propaganda' through games like Roblox. An underlying objective may also be to drive users toward 'MAX,' a government-backed multifunctional app encompassing messaging, financial transactions, and document management. This initiative symbolizes a strategic pivot towards domestic technology, potentially enhancing governmental oversight capabilities, according to reports from The New York Times.