Russia has escalated its sweeping clampdown on foreign technology platforms by blocking Apple’s popular video-calling application FaceTime, a move the state communications regulator says is part of efforts to combat criminal activity. The decision, announced on Thursday by Roskomnadzor, marks another significant tightening of state control over digital communications in the country and deepens Moscow’s ongoing conflict with Western technology giants.
FaceTime, long used globally for free video and audio calls, is now inaccessible to millions of Apple users in Russia. The regulator claimed the restriction was necessary because the app was allegedly being used for terrorism, recruitment, fraud, and other crimes—a justification that critics have strongly rejected. According to Roskomnadzor, the ban follows reports from law enforcement agencies, although no specific evidence was shared publicly to support the claims.
“According to law enforcement agencies, FaceTime is being used to organise and carry out terrorist attacks in the country, recruit perpetrators, and commit fraud and other crimes against Russian citizens,” the regulator said in an emailed statement. The announcement appeared to fit into a pattern of accusations often levelled by authorities against foreign platforms that refuse to cooperate with state requests for user data or content moderation.
Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment, leaving many Russian users confused and frustrated. By Thursday afternoon, several residents in Moscow reported that FaceTime calls could no longer go through. One user said they kept getting a “User unavailable” message, while another noted that although the call notification appeared on their friend’s device, the connection failed every time. These reports suggested that a full technical block had been implemented across major internet providers.
The move against Apple’s FaceTime does not stand alone. It comes amid a broader offensive by the Russian government against a wide range of Western digital services. Over recent months, Russia has targeted Google’s YouTube, Meta’s WhatsApp, the Telegram messaging app, and even children’s gaming platforms. Officials have previously accused these platforms of refusing to comply with Russia’s laws on data access, security, and what authorities describe as extremist materials.
In August, Roskomnadzor restricted some calling and communication features on WhatsApp and Telegram, claiming the platforms refused to share crucial information related to fraud and terrorism cases. Last week, the regulator went further by threatening to shut down WhatsApp entirely if it continued to resist “lawful requests.” This tightening of control also extended to media and news platforms, with dozens of foreign outlets blocked since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
But the crackdown has stretched even beyond messaging services. On Wednesday, Roskomnadzor blocked access to the U.S.-based children’s gaming platform Roblox (RBLX.N), accusing it of distributing extremist content and “LGBT propaganda.” Roblox denied the allegations and stated that it complies with all laws in countries where it operates, emphasizing its commitment to user safety. The move sparked international criticism, with digital rights groups accusing Russia of targeting platforms popular among younger generations to further its aims of information control.
Critics of the government’s latest action argue that the FaceTime ban is less about national security and more about expanding state surveillance capabilities. Earlier this year, Russian authorities launched a new state-backed application called MAX—presented as a domestic alternative to Western communication apps. Although officials insist MAX is safe and secure, activists and digital rights watchdogs warn that it could enable extensive state monitoring of private conversations. They argue that Russia is pushing its citizens onto platforms that offer the government direct access to communications, a claim that state media has denied.
Russia’s restrictive policies toward foreign tech companies accelerated sharply after the sanctions imposed by Western nations following the Ukraine conflict. The government has since pushed for stronger digital “sovereignty,” arguing that foreign companies pose a threat to national security. In practice, this has allowed authorities to exert tighter control over information flows and limit the ability of Russians to access global platforms.
International observers note that Russia’s approach closely mirrors the digital policies of other authoritarian regimes that promote homegrown alternatives while gradually eliminating foreign platforms. Human rights organizations warn that such measures erode privacy and free expression by forcing the public onto services that are more easily monitored and controlled by state agencies.
Meanwhile, many ordinary Russians say they are caught in the middle of a geopolitical struggle over online communications. For years, FaceTime has been a crucial tool for families separated by distance, especially as more Russians move abroad or travel less frequently due to political tensions and economic sanctions. The sudden disappearance of the app has added to growing frustrations about limited access to global services.
Digital rights experts say the pattern is clear: Russia intends to assert total authority over the country’s digital ecosystem, leaving little room for platforms that do not adapt to its laws or political expectations. The blocking of FaceTime, they say, is yet another step toward a future where all major communication tools operate under strict government oversight.
Despite these concerns, Russian authorities appear resolute in expanding their control. Roskomnadzor has continued to issue warnings to platforms that do not comply with its requirements, and analysts expect further restrictions in the coming months, especially as Russia prepares for important political events and seeks to prevent the spread of dissent.
Russia’s latest move demonstrates not only its determination to regulate foreign tech companies but also its broader ambition to re-engineer the country’s digital landscape entirely. As global tensions rise and Moscow deepens its isolation from Western institutions, the battle over communication platforms is becoming a central element of Russia’s internal security and political strategy.
Whether additional Western tech companies will face similar bans remains to be seen, but the trajectory suggests that Russia’s digital crackdown is far from over.
Follow Africalivenews:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/africalivenews
X (Twitter): https://x.com/africalivenews2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africalivenews
