Russia Blocks Access to Snapchat and FaceTime

Russian internet regulator Roskomnadzor has blocked access to Snapchat and Apple’s FaceTime, accusing both platforms of facilitating terrorist activities and recruiting criminals. This action, announced recently but taken on October 10, reflects Moscow’s ongoing crackdown on foreign tech amid intensified control over internet communications since the invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin has previously restricted major social media sites and promoted its own state-controlled messenger app, MAX, which it claims offers a secure digital ecosystem. Critics warn that MAX could enable user tracking, as its developer has committed to sharing data with authorities.

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