Russia blocks FaceTime and Snapchat over use in terrorist attacks

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HomeNewsSecurityRussia blocks FaceTime and Snapchat over use in terrorist attacks

Russia blocks FaceTime and Snapchat over use in terrorist attacks

By Sergiu Gatlan

December 4, 2025
02:12 PM
0

Russian telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor has blocked access to Apple's FaceTime video conferencing platform and the Snapchat instant messaging service, claiming they're being used to coordinate terrorist attacks.
Roskomnadzor said that the two platforms are also being used to recruit criminals and to commit fraud and various other crimes targeting Russian citizens.
"According to law enforcement agencies, the FaceTime service is used to organize and carry out terrorist attacks in the country, recruit their perpetrators, commit fraudulent and other crimes against our citizens," it said in a Thursday statement.
While it didn't announce it until today, the Russian telecom regulator said that Snapchat had been blocked on October 10, "in accordance with the rules of centralized management of the public communication network."
As of this month, Snapchat for Android has been downloaded over 1 billion times on the Google Play Store, while the iOS version has over 5.2 million ratings on Apple's App Store. FaceTime is Apple's proprietary videotelephony platform that comes preinstalled on the company's iOS and macOS devices.
Apple and Snap spokespersons were not immediately available for comment when contacted by BleepingComputer earlier today.
On Wednesday, Roskomnadzor also banned the Roblox online gaming platform for allegedly failing to stop the distribution of what the Russian watchdog described as LGBT propaganda and extremist materials.
Russian news agency Interfax also reported on Friday that Russia is planning to ban Meta's WhatsApp messaging platform, which is now being used by over 3 billion people worldwide.
One year ago, Roskomnadzor blocked the Viber encrypted messaging app, used by hundreds of millions, for violating the country's anti-extremism and anti-terrorism legislation, months after blocking access to the Signal encrypted messaging service for the same reason.
In March 2023, it also banned government and state agencies from using foreign private messaging platforms, including Discord, Microsoft Teams, Telegram, Threema, Viber, WhatsApp, and WeChat, claiming that the service had failed to remove "misinformation" from their platforms.

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Sergiu Gatlan
Sergiu is a news reporter who has covered the latest cybersecurity and technology developments for over a decade. Email or Twitter DMs for tips.

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Russia has implemented significant restrictions on communication platforms, specifically blocking Apple’s FaceTime and Snapchat, citing their use in coordinating terrorist attacks and facilitating criminal activities. This action was announced by the Roskomnadzor, Russia’s telecommunications watchdog, on December 4, 2025. The agency contends that these platforms are being utilized to organize and carry out terrorist attacks within the country, alongside recruitment efforts and the commission of fraudulent crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Prior to this latest action, Roskomnadzor had already blocked Roblox in October of 2025, due to accusations of distributing LGBT “propaganda” and extremist materials. Furthermore, plans are reportedly underway to ban Meta’s WhatsApp messaging platform, which boasts over 3 billion users globally. This escalation of restrictions follows previous blocks on Viber and Signal, both in 2024, based on similar concerns regarding anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation. Roskomnadzor had previously imposed a ban on the use of foreign private messaging apps, including Discord, Microsoft Teams, Telegram, Threema, Viber, WhatsApp, and WeChat, for failing to remove “misinformation” from their platforms. These actions represent a growing trend of censorship and control over digital communication within Russia.

The timing of these restrictions highlights a broader pattern of authoritarian behavior exhibited by the Russian government. The actions against FaceTime and Snapchat demonstrate a direct intervention in the digital sphere, driven by national security concerns, however loosely defined. This strategy has historically involved implementing restrictions on messaging applications and online platforms deemed to contain content unfavorable to the Russian state’s agenda. The recent blocking of Roblox suggests a proactive approach to preventing the dissemination of potentially sensitive information, reflecting concerns about extremist influence. The ongoing attempts to ban WhatsApp signals a determined effort to maintain control over information flows and reduce reliance on foreign communication technologies.

The precedent established by Roskomnadzor’s actions significantly impacts the digital landscape within Russia, constraining user access to global communication services and raising concerns about freedom of expression and privacy. The previous bans on Viber and Signal further emphasize the Russian government’s willingness to utilize legal frameworks to control and censor online activities. The continued scrutiny and control placed upon messaging applications underscore a broader shift toward state-led censorship and the potential for further restrictions on user access to information and communication tools. The responses from Apple and Snap spokespersons, though not immediate, indicate a serious challenge will occur, and the situation is complex, given the size of the platforms’ user bases.