The digital isolation of Russian citizens deepened on Thursday as authorities severed access to one of the last remaining secure Western communication channels, effectively forcing millions of iPhone users onto state-monitored domestic alternatives.
Russia’s state communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, confirmed it has blocked Apple’s FaceTime, marking a significant escalation in the Kremlin’s campaign to curate a "sovereign internet" free from Western influence and encryption that state security services cannot crack.
The ‘Sovereign Internet’ Strategy
The move is the latest step in a years-long effort to build a digital perimeter around Russia—often dubbed the "RuNet"—which accelerated sharply following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While hardware sales from companies like Apple were halted years ago, digital services had remained a grey area, providing a lifeline for Russians to communicate with the outside world.
Critics argue that the blocking of FaceTime, which utilises end-to-end encryption that prevents third parties (including governments) from listening in, is less about crime prevention and more about eradicating private channels of communication.
"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," Roskomnadzor said in an emailed statement justifying the decision.
The watchdog did not cite specific evidence in support of these allegations, a pattern observed in previous bans where "extremism" laws were utilised to silence platforms refusing to host Kremlin-approved narratives or grant the Federal Security Service (FSB) access to user data.
Forced Migration to Domestic Tech
The ban coincides with a government push to migrate the population onto domestic software. Russian authorities have this year launched a state-backed rival app called ‘MAX’. While billed as a patriotic alternative, critics warn the platform is designed with surveillance architecture built-in, allowing state agencies real-time access to user communications—allegations that state media have dismissed as "Western disinformation".
Apple representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment. For the tech giant, this represents the severing of one of its few remaining tethers to the Russian market.
Moscow residents who tried FaceTime on Thursday reported seeing an on-screen message saying "User unavailable". One user told Reuters that a friend she tried to contact had seen the incoming call notification but was unable to connect, a technical symptom consistent with ‘Deep Packet Inspection’ (DPI) filtering used by Russian internet service providers to throttle specific traffic protocols.
A Year of Restrictions
In recent months, Roskomnadzor has intensified measures to block access to Western media and tech platforms it says are hosting content that breaches Russian laws.
The FaceTime ban follows a cascade of restrictions imposed throughout 2025:
August: Russia began limiting voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, accusing the platforms of refusing to share information with law enforcement in fraud and terrorism cases. Roskomnadzor last week threatened to block WhatsApp completely, despite its massive popularity in the country.
Wednesday: Just 24 hours prior to the FaceTime ban, regulators blocked access to the U.S. children's gaming platform Roblox. Authorities accused the platform of distributing extremist materials and "LGBT propaganda"—a catch-all term often used to target content that deviates from the state’s promotion of "traditional values".
Roblox stated that it respects the laws of countries where it operates and is "deeply committed" to ensuring users' safety.
With YouTube speeds reportedly throttled to near-unusable levels earlier this year and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) facing aggressive blocking, the window to the global internet for ordinary Russians is rapidly closing.
Mali has established a new state entity to oversee and regulate its rapidly growing artisanal gold sector, as authorities seek to curb smuggling and c...
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reached a significant milestone in its fight against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, with the first patient...
Canada is hoping to unveil around 10 founding member countries for a proposed global defence bank at next week's NATO summit in Turkey, as Ottawa push...
Spain made easy work of Austria as Portugal left it late to beat Croatia, with both winners now set to meet in the last 16....
The United States has informed the African Union that it will no longer support United Nations logistical assistance for the AU peacekeeping mission i...
Mali has established a new state entity to oversee and regulate its rapidly growing artisanal gold sector, as authorities seek to curb smuggling and close significant gaps between officially recorded exports and the volumes reported by importing countries.
Canada is hoping to unveil around 10 founding member countries for a proposed global defence bank at next week's NATO summit in Turkey, as Ottawa pushes forward with an initiative aimed at strengthening allied defence capabilities through cheaper and more accessible financing.
New York City is preparing for a dangerous heatwave ahead of this weekend's 4 July celebrations.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage proposal that ended with their arrests.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit.
Mali has established a new state entity to oversee and regulate its rapidly growing artisanal gold sector, as authorities seek to curb smuggling and close significant gaps between officially recorded exports and the volumes reported by importing countries.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reached a significant milestone in its fight against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, with the first patient enrolled in a clinical treatment trial aimed at identifying effective therapies for the disease.
Canada is hoping to unveil around 10 founding member countries for a proposed global defence bank at next week's NATO summit in Turkey, as Ottawa pushes forward with an initiative aimed at strengthening allied defence capabilities through cheaper and more accessible financing.
The United States has informed the African Union that it will no longer support United Nations logistical assistance for the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia beyond 2026, a decision that could threaten the future of the operation and raise concerns about security in the country.
The European Commission has opened an anti-dumping investigation into imports of primary alkaline manganese dioxide batteries from China after receiving a complaint from German manufacturer Varta Consumer Batteries.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment