Archive · 5 Dec 2025
Russia Bans Snapchat and FaceTime
Russia has banned the apps Snapchat and FaceTime.
The government says these apps were being used for bad things like planning crimes and terrorism.
Russia has been blocking many Western apps since its war with Ukraine started in 2022.
Other banned apps include Facebook, Instagram, and even a kids' gaming platform called Roblox.
Russia is also trying to stop people from using VPNs, which help people access blocked apps.
The government is pushing people to use a new Russian app called Max for messaging and other services.
They might even ban WhatsApp next, which is very popular in Russia.
Russia banned Snapchat and FaceTime, citing their use in terrorist acts, recruitment, and fraud.
The ban is part of a broader restriction on Western communication services since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022.
Other banned services include Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Roblox.
Russia is promoting the use of a national 'super app' called Max for various services.
Roskomnadzor is also trying to limit access to VPN services to bypass restrictions.
- Who
- Russian communications agency Roskomnadzor
- What
- Banned Snapchat and FaceTime
- When
- Thursday (unspecified date)
- Where
- Russia
- Why
- To prevent the use of these services for terrorist acts, recruitment, fraud, and other crimes
- Services Banned
- Snapchat, FaceTime
- Reason for Ban
- Organizing terrorist acts, recruitment, fraud, and other crimes
- Date of Announcement
- Thursday (unspecified date)
- Other Banned Services
- Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Roblox
- Potential Future Ban
- Russian Super App
- Max (by VK)
- VPN Restrictions
- Roskomnadzor limiting access to VPN services