Russia’s state communications regulator announced on Thursday that it has blocked Apple’s FaceTime video-calling service, citing its alleged use for criminal activities, in the latest escalation of Moscow’s crackdown on foreign technology platforms.
Yes, Apple’s FaceTime is end-to-end encrypted for both video and audio calls. Only the sender and receiver(s) hold the decryption keys; not even Apple can decrypt or access the content of the calls.
The ban comes after similar restrictions already imposed on Google’s YouTube, Meta’s WhatsApp, and the Telegram messaging app.
Mark Trevelyan and Gleb Stolyarov for Reuters:
Critics say the curbs amount to censorship and a tightening of state control over private communications. Russia says they are legitimate law enforcement measures. Russian authorities have this year launched a state-backed rival app called MAX, which critics say could be used for surveillance – allegations that state media have dismissed as false.
Justifying its decision, the communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, said in an emailed statement: “According to law enforcement agencies, FaceTime is being used to organise and carry out terrorist attacks in the country, recruit perpetrators, and commit fraud and other crimes against Russian citizens.”
The watchdog did not cite evidence in support of the allegations.
MacDailyNews Take: As Justice Potter Stewart famously said, “Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself.” Few societies have more reason to doubt themselves than Russia’s.
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Russia’s ban on FaceTime is not censorship. Russia has legitimate security concerns.
More actual censorship happens in the West than in Russia, particularly bad is Europe. Just look what happened to George Galloway. Or the 85-year-old woman in London who held up a placard supporting the Palestinian people who are being slaughtered. Look it up.
Amazon, Youtube, and Twitter before Musk, all these engaged in mass censorship during Covid, even censoring medical doctors and scientists who wouldn’t toe the line.
Russia has more confidence in itself than we Westerners have, and it doesn’t have our problems with illegals and degenerates like we do.
Russia didn’t do that. The Brits did.
Bot said; “Russia’s ban on FaceTime is…”
Wow, so many assertions and so little evidence.
Here’s an example of what I mean:
“Amazon, Youtube, and Twitter before Musk, all these engaged in mass censorship during Covid, even censoring medical doctors and scientists who wouldn’t toe the line.”
Now that’s a huge assertion and where’s is your evidence?
And Russia has more confidence in itself? WTF are you talking about when the country is led by a bloodthirsty, corrupt dictator. Jeez Louise!!!!!!
Dude I really despise traitors like you and I fully expect there will be a war between the West and Russia sooner than later. So which side will you be on you useless, ignorant bloody idiot.
Young Russians were arrested for holding up blank pieces of paper after the invasion of Ukraine took place.
That’s because too many Russian soldiers were FaceTiming the awful conditions they faced on the front lines in Ukraine back to their families.
Slava Ukraini!
Slava Ukraini!
Ukraine lost, and rightfully so.
Bot said; “uhh…error 404.”
Slava Ukraini!
The US has more reason to be “doubted” than Russia. The US is now the biggest threat to peace and world stability in the world. Look at Ukraine and Gaza, both funded and destroyed by American policy.
I’m more concerned about Western Europe and the US than Russia.
The UK is a perfect example of woke authoritarianism and suicidal empathy.
“Gays for Palestine” is a perfect example of today’s political idiots.