After threat against WhatsApp: Roblox, FaceTime and Snapchat blocked in Russia

Russia's telecommunications regulator Roskomnadzor has blocked the game platform Roblox, Apple's messenger FaceTime, and the instant messenger Snapchat within a few hours. This is reported by several media outlets. The blockade wave started with Roblox, according to the news agency AFP, with the first problem reports arriving on Wednesday. The ban was justified by harmful content for children to which they were exposed there. FaceTime and Snapchat followed according to The Moscow Times and Reuters on Thursday. Both blockades were justified by an alleged role in terrorist attacks in Russia, which were organized via the messengers.

The start of more?

The blocking of Roblox and the two messengers follows just a few days after the latest threat against WhatsApp. It is still unclear whether there is a connection. The justification given for the blocking of FaceTime, according to The Moscow Times, is strongly reminiscent of the accusations made against WhatsApp. In each case, it concerns alleged violations of the law. According to the newspaper, which no longer reports from the Russian capital but from Amsterdam, there have been reports of problems with FaceTime since September. Roskomnadzor's statement is now the first official confirmation that the authorities are taking action against the service.

The Russian state has been taking action against foreign communication services for some time. Calls via WhatsApp and Telegram have been restricted for a longer time. Signal and Viber have even been blocked since last year. Moscow's stated goal is to restrict the use of foreign technology to such an extent that people switch to domestic alternatives. This includes, for example, the messenger Max, which was developed in Russia. If the government has its way, it should replace WhatsApp and Telegram, which are still used significantly more frequently. Whether the wave of blockades is just the prelude to further steps remains to be seen.

(mho)