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).
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).
. 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? 
. 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? 
. 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.
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 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?
. 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 
.
. And what about all the good things people use these apps for? Family video calls with loved ones? Business partnerships? 
. And MAX? It sounds like a Totalitarian-era super app 
. 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? 
. 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 
. i mean, who needs a super app when u already got like, a dozen apps that do the same thang? 
can't ppl just use their heads & be like "omg, i need to stay online, i'll just get a vpn" 
. i mean, snapchat and face time are just social media apps, what's next? banning messaging apps like telegram or whatsapp? 
but at what cost? online freedom is already a thing of the past in russia if you ask me 
. It just feels like the gov is trying to control every aspect of our online lives 
. I'm not sure if it's a good idea tho, 'cause it could lead to some serious surveillance issues 
and idk why they gotta do this can't they just let ppl be? and whats with max?? sounds like some kinda surveillance state 