Overview
- Roskomnadzor said it is partially restricting the two foreign messengers to counter scams and security threats after prior compliance demands went unmet.
- User reports and Downdetector data show apps failing to open, messages not delivering and media not loading, with service quality varying by operator and even on wired connections in some cities.
- Monitoring by the Na Svyazi project indicates disruptions across 34 regions covering more than 92 million residents, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and other major areas.
- Russian users also report FaceTime call issues such as failed connections and severe delays since at least October 18, suggesting wider impacts on internet voice and video services.
- Experts suggest the problems may reflect testing of new blocking methods or filtering via Technical Threat Counteraction Systems, while authorities note voice-call limitations began in August and say full access could return if operators comply with Russian law.