Russia’s federal media regulator Roskomnadzor has blocked Snapchat and FaceTime, citing security and fraud related concerns. The restrictions expand the country’s ongoing limitations on foreign communication platforms.
Russian authorities have significantly increased pressure on WhatsApp, with the state communications regulator threatening a total ban of the platform in 2026. This escalation follows months of technical slowdowns and restrictions on voice calls, part of a broader strategy to isolate the domestic internet and transition users to state-controlled alternatives like the new MAX "superapp."
