Russia blocks Snapchat and restricts Apple's FaceTime, state officials say

"State internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged in a statement that both apps were being used to organize and conduct terrorist activities on the territory of the country, to recruit perpetrators (and) commit fraud and other crimes against our citizens. Apple did not respond to an emailed request for comment, nor did Snap Inc. The Russian regulator said it took action against Snapchat 10 October, even though it only reported the move on Thursday."

"Under Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in deliberate and multi-pronged efforts to rein in the internet. They have adopted restrictive laws and banned websites and platforms that don't comply. Technology also has been perfected to monitor and manipulate online traffic. Access to YouTube was disrupted last year in what experts called deliberate throttling of the widely popular site by the authorities. The Kremlin blamed YouTube owner Google for not properly maintaining its hardware in Russia."

"While it's still possible to circumvent some of the restrictions by using virtual private network services, those are routinely blocked, too. Authorities further restricted internet access this summer with widespread shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. Officials have insisted the measure was needed to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts argued it was another step to tighten internet control. In dozens of regions, white lists of government-approved sites and services that are supposed to function despite"

Russian authorities blocked access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's FaceTime, with Roskomnadzor alleging both apps were used to organize and conduct terrorist activities, recruit perpetrators, commit fraud and other crimes against citizens. Roskomnadzor said it acted against Snapchat on 10 October, reporting the move publicly later. The measures follow prior restrictions on YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram and Telegram after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Authorities have adopted restrictive laws, banned noncompliant platforms, and developed technology to monitor and manipulate online traffic. VPNs and mobile internet have been routinely blocked or shut down, and region-specific whitelists of approved sites have been created.

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