Russia has significantly restricted or banned several major social media platforms, including Meta's Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, labeling Meta an "extremist organization". Other platforms facing blocks or throttling include X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, Telegram, Viber, Signal, and even gaming/social platforms like Roblox, with authorities citing national security, terrorism, and the spread of "extremist content" as reasons, while pushing domestic alternatives like VK and Max.
These efforts have only intensified since the war began, with authorities blocking major social media sites X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Access to YouTube was also disrupted last year, with experts accusing authorities of deliberately throttling the widely popular site.
Telegram is an alternative network to which users switched after Facebook and Instagram were blocked. It remains accessible in Russia, with 57% of Russians using it.
WhatsApp and Telegram are being restricted. And Vladimir Putin seems to be preparing to promote a new domestic alternative.
MOSCOW, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Russia has blocked access to Snapchat, state-run news agency RIA reported on Thursday, citing the country's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor.
Russia. In March 2022, Russia criminalized spreading "misinformation" against its invasion of Ukraine. TikTok then banned any new uploads and only allowed old videos that were uploaded within Russia.
In 2022, Google's local subsidiary was declared bankrupt and the company has stopped offering its commercial services in Russia, such as advertising. However, its products are not completely banned in the country. This development is the latest escalation between Russia and the US tech giant.
International apps including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, X, Signal, Viber, Snapchat, and the gaming platform Roblox have been blocked or restricted. Earlier this month, Apple's FaceTime video service was added to the list when the government blocked it.
Many countries have banned or temporarily limited access to Facebook. Use of the website has also been restricted in various ways in other countries. As of 2024, the only countries to continually ban access to the social networking site are: China, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, Russia, Turkmenistan and Uganda.
It was initiated by the Russian government as a pressure measure against Google (the platform's owner) due to non-compliance with Russian legislation, including the blocking of pro-state channels and the distribution of content recognized in the Russian Federation as "illegal".
When texting someone in Russia, you must include the country code +7 to alert the mobile network that your message is intended for Russia. To input the country code, long-press the "0" key on your phone until a "+" symbol appears, or type "007" before the phone number.
Instagram is especially popular among women: 77% of some 2 million monthly active users belong to the female gender, aged between 18 and 29.
Russia-24 was banned in Ukraine, Moldova, the United Kingdom, and the European Union as a result of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On 1 December 2022, the last nine Russian McDonald's restaurants at train stations and airports in St. Petersburg and Moscow closed. In January 2023, McDonald's closed its restaurants in Kazakhstan, believed to be due to supply issues, with its restaurants expected to be rebranded.
VK (short for its original name VKontakte; Russian: ВКонтакте, lit. 'InContact') is a Russian online social media and social networking service based in Saint Petersburg. VK is available in multiple languages but it is predominantly used by Russian speakers.
Now, this situation is different. Russia didn't ban Netflix — it's the other way around. Netflix suspended its service in the country, which, in theory, means you should be able to access it legally. According to our research, Russians use a VPN for Netflix in 2026.
Usually, Russia only blocks accounts from outside the country. However, the Instagram Russia ban blocks all access to the Instagram app.
Most Popular Mobile Apps: Russia
Facebook Users by Country (2024)
Despite the initial threats, the listed web services remain operational and available in Russia, such as YouTube, Wikipedia, Telegram and Zoom. US tech companies including Microsoft and Zoom should be “throttled” and “strangled” from operating in Russia, President Vladimir Putin has said.
Russia has announced restrictions on the messaging apps WhatsApp and Telegram, accusing the foreign-owned platforms of failing to share information with law enforcement in fraud and terrorism cases.
Overall, using your own phone in Russia is possible, but it may require some additional arrangements. If your phone is unlocked and compatible with Russian network bands, you can simply purchase a Russia SIM card upon arrival or activating a Russia eSIM online.
In the first case there should be no problems: Gmail is not blocked in Russia and Google still allows its usage for Russian citizens.
Adidas decided in October to permanently halt business in Russia, having closed all its stores and suspended online sales there in March last year after Russia invaded Ukraine.
BMW, Mercedes, Audi: Have the German 'Big Three' Left Russia? German luxury car makers Mercedes, BMW, and Audi, in nearly identical statements, announced the suspension of local production in Russia as well as exports to the Russian market shortly after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.