Roskomnadzor, the Russian federal agency responsible for media oversight and enforcement, has blocked access to Snapchat and Apple’s FaceTime services. The action was reported by Bloomberg and attributed to information from Russian news service Interfax. According to the agency, the platforms were restricted because they were allegedly used to coordinate unlawful activities and commit fraudulent acts.
Current accessibility through virtual private networks has not been confirmed. The restrictions follow a series of actions taken by Russian authorities against foreign communication platforms. These actions began after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when platforms such as Facebook and X were blocked. Instagram was added to the list soon afterward. The encrypted messaging service Signal was banned in 2024, and in July 2025 officials stated that WhatsApp could also face a ban.
Russian authorities have stated that such measures aim to limit the circulation of harmful content and unlawful activity. Previous actions have included blocking Roblox, with claims from regulators that the platform contained prohibited material under local law. These moves also coincide with the state’s intention to push MAX, a state operated super app that offers communication tools, financial services and document management. International reports, including coverage from The New York Times, indicate that the app supports the government’s objective of shifting reliance away from foreign companies and centralizing digital infrastructure inside the country.
Requests for comments were sent to Apple and Snap. Responses had not been received at the time of publication.
