Russia tightens control of online communications with FaceTime restrictions
Russian authorities announced new restrictions this week on Apple’s video calling service FaceTime, marking another escalation in the government’s long-running campaign to tighten control over online communications. The country’s state internet regulator claimed the platform was being used to organize terrorist activity, recruit individuals for crimes, commit fraud, and carry out other illegal acts. Alongside the FaceTime restrictions, officials confirmed that the messaging app Snapchat has also been blocked, a move that was quietly carried out in early October but only publicly disclosed now. Apple has not publicly responded to the allegations. These steps come as Russia continues to expand its digital crackdown following years of growing pressure on foreign tech companies and online platforms.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, the government has steadily restricted public access to global social media and communication services, cutting off platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and throttling YouTube. Lawmakers have also moved aggressively against encrypted messaging services, blocking Signal and Viber in 2024 and later banning voice and video calls on WhatsApp and Telegram. At the same time, officials have promoted a state-backed “national” messaging app that critics warn is designed as a surveillance tool and does not use end-to-end encryption. Authorities have also rolled out mobile internet shutdowns in several regions, officially citing concerns over drone attacks, while introducing “white lists” of approved websites that remain accessible during outages. The government recently added online gaming to its list of targets, blocking Roblox over claims of protecting children. Legal experts warn that Russian law now broadly classifies any service allowing user communication as subject to government monitoring, requiring companies to grant security agencies access to user data or face blocking. Cybersecurity analysts say the FaceTime decision was expected and that more foreign services could soon follow unless they comply with state demands.
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