Russia blocks roblox, apple’s facetime amid crackdown on foreign tech platforms

Russian prevented apple’s app from calling the video Face timesaid the State Communications Watchdog on Thursday, just a day after blocking the US Children’s Game’s Plantrapter platform.

Both restrictions are part of a rapid clampdown on international technology platforms: In the case of facume, the Russian authorities say they are being used for criminal activity, while roblox is accused by Spreading extremist material and “LGBT ProCORAGANDA.”

Traffic follows the restrictions faced by YouTube for YouTube, for WhatsApp for Meta and Telegraph Service.

Critics say the curbs amount to censorship and increased government control over private communications. Russian says they are legitimate law enforcement measures. RussianThe authorities have this year started a program that supports the State called MAX, that critics say can be used for surveillance – allegations that the country’s media dismissed as false.

Justifying its decision, the Communications Regulator, Roskomnadzor, said in an emailed statement: “According to law enforcement agencies, Face time it is used to plan and carry out terrorist attacks in the country, recruiting agents, and fraud and other crimes against them Russiann citizens. “

The Watchdog has not seen any evidence to support the allegations.

Apple representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ban Face timean application that allows users to make free video and audio calls over Wi-Fi or mobile data.

The citizens of Moscow tried Face time On Thursday he reportedly saw a message on the screen saying “user not available.” Another friend said that he tried to contact him and saw an incoming call but could not connect.

In recent months, roskomnadzor has stepped up measures to block access to vertn media and tech platforms it claims are handling content that violates the law. Russiann Rules.

In August, Russian It has started to cut some calls to Whatsapp and Telegraph, accusing them of refusing to share information with law enforcement on fraud and terrorism charges. Roskomnadzor last week came close to blocking WhatsApp completely.

Last year, the language learning app Duolingo had references removed from that Russian Calls for “non-traditional sexual relations” after being warned by the watchdog about the publication of 2SLGBTQ + content.

Roblox ban

On Wednesday, Roskomnadzor banned access to the platform of the US Children’s Gamering Platform, accusing it of distributing past material and “LGBT propaganda.” Roskomnadzor also said A bump ‘it was full of inappropriate content that could adversely affect children’s spiritual and moral development. “

A A bump A spokesperson for May said in an email to email addressees: “We respect the local laws and regulations in the countries where we operate and we believe A bump It provides a great space for learning, creating connections for everyone. “

Said the spokesperson of this organization A bump “We are deeply committed to security and have a strong set of effective and secure security measures designed to catch and prevent harmful content on our platform.”

A bumpwhich replaces 151.5 million active users in the third quarter of this year, banned by several countries, including Iraq and Turkey, over concerns about victims using the platform.

In 2023, Russian He designated the so-called “International LGBT Movement” as persecutors and those who support it as terrorists, paving the way for major criminal cases against criminals, their lawyers.