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Roskomnadzor (RKN) confirmed that the American photo and video sharing service Snapchat has been blocked in Russia since October 2025. According to the regulator, the service is used to recruit criminals for terrorist acts and fraud.
[td]"According to law enforcement agencies, Snapchat is being used to organize and conduct terrorist activities in the country, recruit perpetrators, and commit fraud and other crimes against our citizens," the Roskomnadzor press service stated. "In accordance with the rules for the centralized management of the public communications network, Roskomnadzor has taken measures to block the service on October 10, 2025."[/td]It should be noted that earlier today, on December 4, 2025, Roskomnadzor imposed restrictive measures against the FaceTime video calling service. The agency also reported that, according to law enforcement agencies, FaceTime is being used to organize terrorist attacks, recruit perpetrators, and commit fraud.
Snapchat and FaceTime are the latest in a long series of blockings in recent months. In August of this year, Roskomnadzor restricted voice calls on Telegram and WhatsApp (owned by Meta, which is designated as extremist and banned in Russia).
Subsequently, in October 2025, the regulator announced partial restrictions on Telegram and WhatsApp, and last week confirmed plans to gradually completely block WhatsApp due to "non-compliance with Russian legislation."
Earlier this week, on December 3, 2025, the blocking also affected the Roblox gaming platform. In this case, the reason given was materials promoting extremism, terrorism, calls for violence, and LGBT propaganda (the movement is recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation).
Snapchat and FaceTime are the latest in a long series of blockings in recent months. In August of this year, Roskomnadzor restricted voice calls on Telegram and WhatsApp (owned by Meta, which is designated as extremist and banned in Russia).
Subsequently, in October 2025, the regulator announced partial restrictions on Telegram and WhatsApp, and last week confirmed plans to gradually completely block WhatsApp due to "non-compliance with Russian legislation."
Earlier this week, on December 3, 2025, the blocking also affected the Roblox gaming platform. In this case, the reason given was materials promoting extremism, terrorism, calls for violence, and LGBT propaganda (the movement is recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation).