Russia blocks Snapchat, along with Roblox and FaceTime

Russia’s federal censor, Roskomnadzor, announced on Thursday that it has blocked the mobile application Snapchat. The agency explained the ban by saying that, according to law enforcement, the service “is used to organize and carry out terrorist activities, to recruit their perpetrators, and to commit fraudulent and other crimes against Russian citizens.”

In recent days, Roskomnadzor has also announced the blocking in Russia of the gaming platform Roblox and FaceTime, Apple’s video-calling application. Snapchat’s key feature is that it allows users to send photos and videos that disappear after being viewed or within 24 hours.