Russia blocks FaceTime app over allegations it is used for criminal activities

Russia has blocked Apple's FaceTime app, according to confirmations made today by the State Communications Supervisor.

The blocking comes as part of a crackdown on foreign technology companies, as Russia claims some of them are being used for criminal activities.

Russian media reports that media regulator Roskomnadzor said in an emailed statement that according to law enforcement agencies, FaceTime is being used to organize and carry out terrorist attacks in the country, recruit perpetrators, and commit fraud and other crimes against Russian citizens.

The decision comes as Moscow, locked in a standoff with the West over Ukraine, is seeking more control over the internet.

YouTube, Telegram, Meta's WhatsApp, and Roblox are also banned in Russia.

Russia had accused foreign-owned platforms of failing to share information with law enforcement in cases of fraud and terrorism, or of spreading content contrary to state values. /CNA 

14:26 World

Serbian court orders one month's detention for KLA veteran

A court in Belgrade ordered a month's detention for a Koso...

14:02 World

30 hours above the clouds/ Chinese airline launches world's longest flight

A Chinese airline launched the world's longest round-trip ...

13:41 World

"Mogherini" scandal/ EC Rector resigns from post

Federica Mogherini has resigned from her position as recto...

11:47 World

US suspends immigration applications for 19 countries

Since Donald Trump took office as President of the United St...

10:21 World

Meta begins banning Australian children from Instagram and Facebook

Meta has begun removing Australian children under 16 from ...

09:32 World

Pentagon report: Hegseth jeopardized the safety of US troops with information shared on Signal

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have jeopardized the...

09:06 World

NATO will continue to buy weapons from the US for Ukraine

NATO countries agreed at a meeting of foreign ministers in...

08:49 World

Oil, defense and geopolitics/ Why is Putin visiting Modi in Delhi?

Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a two-day visit ...

08:53 World

Eurovision faces a crucial decision on Israel

The Eurovision Song Contest faces a battle for its future ...

08:27 World

Israeli bombings continue in Gaza / Five Palestinians killed, including two children

Five Palestinians, including two children, were killed by ...

08:19 World

Doctor sentenced to 30 months in prison for Matthew Perry's overdose

A California doctor who supplied ketamine to "Friends" sta...

08:10 World

White House: Ukraine and US negotiators to meet in Florida today

US special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with the head of ...

08:01 World

SCO counter-terrorism exercise: How important is it to Iran?  

Iran's first counter-terrorism drill within the framework ...

22:01 World

Drone enters Black Sea waters/ Clashes begin between Ukraine and Romania

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has denied claims th...

20:51 World

Tragic in Corfu/ Car with mother and daughter falls from 7-meter bridge, 75-year-old woman dies

A serious incident occurred today in the area near the Kou...

19:20 World

Macron travels to China/ 3-day state visit for trade and dialogue on Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron begins a three-day state ...

18:55 World

Germany puts ballistic missile shield into service

The German military has put into service the first part of...

18:50 World

New York Times Analysis: What Could Push Russia Towards Peace

After nearly five hours of talks Tuesday between U.S. and ...

17:23 World

Hungary to challenge EU decision on Russian energy imports

Hungary will challenge the European Union's decision to gr...

17:23 World

"If Europe wants war, we are ready"/ Rutte responds to Putin's challenge

NATO Secretary General Rutte stated today that Russia is a...