Based on the reports, Apple’s video calling app, FaceTime, has been blocked by Russia since Thursday, December 4, 2025. This action is taken as an ongoing attempt to end the private communication method. As Russia claims that the app is being used for illegal purposes, it is legal for law authorities to disable the app. Here are the details:
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Criminal Activity Allegations On Apple’s FaceTime
‌Apple‘s FaceTime is currently limited countrywide. However, it may still be accessible over a VPN because it has probably been blocked at the network level. This blocking was realized when Moscow residents received a “User unavailable” notice, which is the error that appears when a call cannot connect when they are trying to use FaceTime. On the other hand, Apple hasn’t deleted the software because it still opens and activates.
One comment on Reddit said, “FaceTime blocked, Russians now shout memoranda from balconies.”
With no way for the Federal Security Service (FSB) to keep an eye on calls, Russia says the app is used to coordinate illegal activities. Apple has not changed its stance on end-to-end encryption and has refused to grant the FSB access to FaceTime traffic.
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s media regulator, officially states in the reports:
“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 reason why FaceTime‌ wasn’t banned earlier is likely because the country initially prioritized more popular apps like Telegram and WhatsApp. So, when Russians switched to FaceTime because voice and video calls were prohibited in those apps, the app became the next target for the authorities.
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Not The Only Apps Getting Blocked!
Interestingly, FaceTime is not the only or the first app getting blocked by Russia this year. Several reports pointed out that this week, the country has totally banned two apps, which are the Social network Snapchat and the multiplayer gaming platform Roblox.
Earlier this year, the country banned both Viber and Signal. Making the Russians unable to make calls through WhatsApp or Telegram. Furthermore, the messaging feature is also tightly restricted in those two apps.
Long before, multiple other apps and services have also been blocked by the same country. Social media like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Discord, and LinkedIn are unavailable and need a VPN to be accessed. Russia severely restricts YouTube, making it nearly unusable, while TikTok has only had a Russian feed that excludes content from other countries since 2022.
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