Russia reportedly bans Snapchat and FaceTime

Russia has reportedly taken the drastic measure of banning access to popular social media platforms Snapchat and FaceTime within its borders. According to Bloomberg, citing Interfax, the decision was made due to concerns that these services were being used to facilitate terrorist activities and commit fraud.

This move is not an isolated incident in Russia's ongoing campaign against communication and social media platforms. Since the country's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, several major social media giants have been blocked in Russia, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Signal. Just last month, Russia threatened to block WhatsApp as well.

The ban on Snapchat and FaceTime may be seen as a way for Roskomnadzor, the Russian federal agency responsible for monitoring and censoring mass media, to exert control over how people communicate in the country. However, some analysts believe that this move is also part of a broader strategy to drive Russians towards using state-run services like MAX, which offers communication, banking, and document storage.

MAX, the proposed super app, has been touted as a means for Russia to rely less on foreign tech companies and more on its own domestic industry. This could potentially provide the Russian government with a new tool to surveil its citizens, raising concerns about online freedom and security in the country.

It remains to be seen whether these platforms will still be accessible in Russia even if users employ virtual private networks (VPNs).

I'm worried about this ban on Snapchat & FaceTime . It's like, I get where they're coming from w.r.t. security concerns, but at the same time, it feels like a bit of overreach . What if it's just ppl using these services for harmless stuff like staying in touch with family & friends? Russia already has its own super app, MAX, which sounds kinda suspicious . I hope users have some workarounds w.r.t. VPNs to stay connected . Let's keep the lines of communication open, you know?

OMG, like I'm so confused about this whole Snapchat ban thingy . Can't they just use VPNs or something? Like, I know it's a big deal and all, but can't we have our social media fix on the down low? And what's up with MAX? Sounds like a super creepy app to me . Is it like, totally free or something? I don't get why they need to surveil everyone online. Can't they just, like, talk to each other in person or something?

Russia's move to ban Snapchat and FaceTime is pretty concerning . I mean, sure, it's understandable that they want to prevent terrorist activities and fraud on their soil, but the broader implications are a bit worrying for me. If they're really serious about building a super app like MAX, why not just encourage users to switch over from these foreign services gradually? Forcefully banning them might just drive Russians underground or towards using VPNs... which is basically the opposite of what you'd want, right?

It's also interesting that they've been doing this one by one for social media giants – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Signal... it feels like they're trying to break everyone . And now WhatsApp is next on the list? I get that they want control over how people communicate, but at what cost? Online freedom and security are important to me, and if Russia's moving towards a more controlled environment, it might just push users abroad or make them lose trust in their own government.

What do you think? Should they be focusing on building a super app or finding ways to promote online freedom?

OMG, like seriously, what's next? They're gonna ban TikTok too? Anyway, I'm so done with this whole thing... it's like, they're trying to control everything. And yeah, MAX sounds super sketchy, who needs a "super app" that's basically a government surveillance tool? It's not like Russians can't use VPNs or something. And what about all the other platforms they've blocked already? Like, what's next for gamers and music lovers and stuff? This is getting out of hand...

I don't get why Russia is always trying to control every aspect of their citizens' lives. Like, can't they just chill? They're already super paranoid about the West and now they're creating their own "super app" . I mean, isn't that just a fancy way of saying "surveillance state"? And what's with all these VPNs? Can't they just let people make their own decisions about how to use the internet? It feels like Russia is just trying to suffocate itself under a blanket of censorship .

omg can you believe what's going on in russia rn? they're literally trying to control every single way we communicate online... like, snapchat and facetime are banned now? what's next? telegram? messenger? it's just getting more and more insane how they're trying to exert total control over people's lives. and don't even get me started on max - the proposed super app that sounds like something straight out of a dystopian novel. i mean, can you imagine having to use some government-run service that's supposed to be more secure than everything else? no thank you!

I'm like, super skeptical about this whole Snapchat ban thing . Like, what's next? Banning TikTok too? I don't think it's a good idea for the gov to try and control our online lives more. It feels like they're just trying to stay on top of everything, but honestly, can't we just chill and enjoy our social media without being watched all the time?

And what about the VPN thing? I'm sure some genius will come up with a way to bypass the ban, lol . But seriously, this whole thing just feels like another step towards Russia becoming more... let's say, "controlling". I mean, we're already living in an era where our online activity is being monitored by governments all over the world, but this feels like it goes a bit too far.

I'm not sure if I'm just being paranoid, but with MAX coming out, it does feel like Russia is trying to create its own little social media bubble . Like, they're trying to make us use their services instead of going outside the box and exploring other options. It's all a bit... suspicious to me .

omg this is getting crazy lol like russia can't even be serious about banning snapchat and face time? what's next, tiktok? and seriously, have they thought this through? ppl are gonna find ways to use vps and stuff anyway... but idk, i guess it just shows how serious they're taking the whole "national security" thing. it's all about control, right?

I think this is a total overkill. Banning Snapchat and FaceTime? That's like trying to stop an avalanche by building a dam. It won't work, it'll just push everything underground . And what about all the good things people use these apps for? Family video calls with loved ones? Business partnerships?

It's like Russia is trying to create this super controlled environment where everyone has to rely on their state-run services, but in reality, it's just gonna drive people to use VPNs and find workarounds . And MAX? It sounds like a Totalitarian-era super app . I'm all for innovation, but this feels like the government trying too hard to control everything .

I think this move is gonna have more of a negative impact on online security than anything else . People will just find ways to circumvent the ban and use their phones as they want anyway . And what about all the international users who wanna stay in touch with friends and family back home?

can't believe what's happening with snapchat & face time . like, i get it they wanna control the flow of info, but this is just gonna make ppl switch to max or something . and honestly, who knows how much data max is really collecting on us? it's all about being watched, you know? anyway, vps should def be an option for those who want to stay connected... or maybe they'll just create their own .

omg i'm so worried about this ban... like what's next? will they take down reddit too? just kidding, kinda. but seriously, it's super concerning that russia is trying to exert control over how ppl communicate online. it's like, okay, we get it, you want to keep an eye on things, but do u have to go full-on authoritarian?

anywayz, this max thing sounds sketchy . i mean, who needs a super app when u already got like, a dozen apps that do the same thang? and what's with the banking & doc storage? is russia trying to become like china or somethin'?

and vps vs no vps... lol, like who has time for that? can't ppl just use their heads & be like "omg, i need to stay online, i'll just get a vpn" . btw, russia's got some serious tech issues . like, have u seen their internet speeds?

think it's crazy that Russia is taking this move... they're basically cutting off their own people from the rest of the world . i mean, snapchat and face time are just social media apps, what's next? banning messaging apps like telegram or whatsapp? it's like they're trying to isolate themselves even more from the digital world. and who knows, maybe max will be a good thing for them... but at what cost to online freedom? ️ it's a slippery slope when you start restricting access to certain platforms.

this is getting crazy what's next gonna get blocked? like russia's already got a stranglehold on most social media platforms now snapchat and face time are just the latest targets lol who needs that much control over people's lives? and it's not like they're even hiding how they're using these services to surveil citizens. it's all pretty transparent. but at what cost? online freedom is already a thing of the past in russia if you ask me

I think it's kinda harsh on Snapchat and FaceTime tho . Like, I get that safety is a concern but banning access altogether? That's some heavy-handed stuff . It just feels like the gov is trying to control every aspect of our online lives . And what's up with MAX, right? It sounds like they're trying to create this super app that's basically a one-stop shop for all your needs . I'm not sure if it's a good idea tho, 'cause it could lead to some serious surveillance issues .

omg this is soooo concerning snapchat and face time are like super popular here I use them all the time what's next gonna ban tiktok and insta? and idk why they gotta do this can't they just let ppl be? and whats with max?? sounds like some kinda surveillance state hows that even a good idea? and btw what if ppl wanna watch vids of cute cats on snapchat?

I mean, what's next? They're already blocking all these international social media sites... it's like they're trying to create this whole Russian bubble where people can only interact with each other on MAX. It's just so limiting! And yeah, the whole VPN thing is a big deal because let's be real, most Russians are smart enough to figure out how to use them to bypass whatever restrictions the government throws at 'em . But still, it's like they're trying to exert this total control over people's online lives... can't we just enjoy some freedom on our phones for once?

I'm not sure why people are freaking out about this. Like, I get that it's a bit concerning when governments start regulating our online activities, but is it really a big deal? I mean, think about it, Russia's just trying to protect its citizens from potential threats like terrorism and fraud, which is fair enough.

I'm also not sold on the idea that this is all part of some grand plan for them to control people through state-run services. It's probably more complicated than that. Maybe they're just trying to create a safer online environment? And who knows, maybe using MAX will actually be beneficial for Russians.

I do think it's interesting that this is part of their broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign tech companies. That does make me wonder about the implications for online security and freedom. But I don't know if we should jump to conclusions just yet