Russia’s state communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, has announced a nationwide block on Apple’s video-calling service FaceTime, expanding its ongoing crackdown on foreign technology platforms. The move, first reported by Reuters, is part of the government’s broader effort to tighten control over the internet and curb the influence of global tech companies.
Alongside FaceTime, the Russian authorities have also banned the popular social media platform Snapchat, citing similar security concerns.
In an email statement to Reuters, Roskomnadzor said that law enforcement agencies had flagged FaceTime for alleged involvement in criminal activity. “According to law enforcement agencies, FaceTime is being used to organise and carry out terrorist attacks in the country, recruit perpetrators, and commit fraud and other crimes against Russian citizens,” the regulator said. However, no concrete evidence was provided publicly to support these allegations.
The latest ban follows earlier restrictions imposed on several major foreign platforms, including Google’s YouTube, Meta’s WhatsApp, and Telegram. Russian authorities have repeatedly accused these services of hosting content that violates domestic laws and of being misused for fraud, extremism, and terrorism-related activity.
Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has steadily introduced stricter internet regulations, increasing pressure on global technology firms to comply with local laws. Platforms that fail to meet these requirements face fines, throttling, or outright bans.
As part of its push for digital self-reliance, the Russian government has also launched its own domestic messaging platform called MAX. However, critics have raised serious concerns, alleging that the app has been designed with built-in government surveillance capabilities.
Apple has not yet issued any official response to Russia’s decision to block FaceTime at the time of publication.
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