(MENAFN) Russia has cut off access to Apple's FaceTime application following allegations the platform facilitated criminal activity, authorities announced Thursday.

Roskomnadzor, Russia's Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, issued a statement confirming the ban and revealing that connectivity problems with FaceTime have plagued users since September.

According to the regulatory body, the video calling service has been exploited by criminals operating within Russian borders. The agency claims FaceTime serves as a tool to organize and execute terrorist operations, enlist accomplices, and perpetrate fraud alongside other offenses targeting Russian nationals.

The disruption stems directly from these security concerns, Roskomnadzor indicated in its official communication.

This development follows existing limitations on WhatsApp and Telegram voice calls, which Russian authorities have similarly curtailed citing security vulnerabilities and fraud prevention measures. As foreign messaging platforms face increasing restrictions, MAX—a newly introduced domestic alternative—has witnessed explosive adoption rates, particularly within government agencies and state-run organizations.

The telecommunications crackdown represents Moscow's expanding efforts to control digital communication channels amid ongoing national security concerns.

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