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Russia has blocked Apple’s FaceTime video calling app, as part of a continuing effort to block private communication methods, which the Russian government claims is being used to facilitate criminal activity, reports Reuters. Social network Snapchat and multiplayer gaming platform Roblox has also been banned.
Several other social networks have already been blocked in Russia and can only be accessed by using a VPN. The already blocked social networks include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Discord, and LinkedIn. Meanwhile, TikTok is not allowed to provide content from other countries to Russian users, and YouTube has been sok heavily throttled that it is basically unusable.
Messaging apps Viber and Signal are also banned in the country, and earlier this year, WhatsApp and Telegram users found they could no longer make calls. Messaging on the apps is also heavily restricted.
Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor told Reuters that law enforcement agencies in the country say FaceTime is being used by terrorists to organize and carry out attacks in the country. They are also allegedly using the app to attract new recruits, as well as commit fraud against other Russian citizens.
FaceTime is now blocked nationwide, meaning it was likely blocked at the network level. However, it may still be accessible through a VPN. While the app still opens and activates, attempting to make a FaceTime call result in an error message being displayed.
Apple has declined to allow Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) access to FaceTime calls, and refuses to provide a back door to the end-to-end encryption used on calls.
FaceTime was likely banned now, due to WhatsApp and Telegram users making the move to Apple’s service after their preferred apps were shut down, meaning it appeared on the government’s radar.