Russia Blocks Snapchat and FaceTime as Crackdown on Western Apps Intensifies
Russia has expanded its restrictions on Western digital services by blocking access to Snapchat and Apple’s FaceTime , according to reports citing the country’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor. Authorities claim that both platforms were being used for activities linked to extremism, recruitment, and online fraud , prompting the governmen
t to move forward with a full ban. The decision marks another step in Russia’s push to limit the presence of foreign tech companies within its digital space. The move comes as Russia continues to promote its own state-backed digital ecosystem. The government has been encouraging the use of Max , a newly launched national “super app” developed by state-owned VK. The platform is designed to host a wide range of services, including official government tools, cloud document storage, banking, messaging, and commercial features—positioning it as a domestic alternative to Western apps. In recent months, Russian officials have also signaled growing concerns about WhatsApp , despite it being the country’s most widely used messaging service. Authorities previously warned that a complete ban remains possible if the platform is found to be in violation of national regulations. Russia’s latest restrictions reflect a broader trend of tightening control over digital communications, as the government continues to isolate its online environment and promote dependence on locally developed technologies.