Overview
- Roskomnadzor announced the FaceTime restriction on December 4, saying law enforcement flagged criminal misuse, while Apple has not commented.
- The regulator alleged use of the service for organizing attacks, recruitment and scams but offered no public evidence to support the claims.
- Users in Moscow reported failed connections and 'User not available' messages even when calls appeared to ring on recipients' devices.
- The step is the latest in a broader clampdown that has limited WhatsApp and Telegram calling, blocked Signal and Viber in 2024, and cut access to Roblox this week.
- Authorities are promoting the state-backed MAX app as an alternative, and a legal regime treating messengers as 'organizers of dissemination' enables FSB account access, an expert said.