Russia Blocks Facebook, Twitter, App Store Access: Report

Russia blocked access to Facebook, Twitter, app stores, as well as some Western news outlet websites, says a new report.

Facebook logo
Photo taken on October 18, 2021 in Moscow shows the US online social media and social networking service Facebook's logo on a tablet screen. - Facebook on October 18, 2021, announced plans to hire 10,000 people in the European Union to build the "metaverse", a virtual reality version of the internet that the tech giant sees as the future. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP) Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

Russia Blocks Facebook, Twitter

As per a news story by CNET, a tweet update from Der Spiegel reporter, Mathieu von Rohr, is saying that Russia has already blocked access to social media platforms, big app stores, and new sites.

The reporter said in a tweet that the largest country in the world has already blocked social media giants Facebook and Twitter, making them inaccessible in Russia.

Both Facebook and Twitter have yet to release their statement regarding the latest report, saying that their platforms are no longer accessible in the country.

It is interesting to point out that Russia has previously limited access to the social media giant Facebook after the platform continued fact-checking and leaving content warnings on Russian news outlets.

That said, beginning Feb. 25, the government of Russia has limited access to the social media platform, according to a recent report by Aljazeera.

Russia Shuts Down Access to Some News Sites

On top of that, von Rohr also stated that the sites of Western news outlets, such as Deutsche Welle and BBC are no longer accessible in the Russian nation.

CNET further added in its report that readers of the news site from Latvia, Meduza, said that its website is no longer accessible in the Russian territory.

Russia Blocks App Store Access

What's more, the reporter also disclosed that Russia has also shut down access to "app stores."

However, it is worth noting that the tweet update did not mention which among the app marketplaces are no longer accessible. That said, it is still unknown whether the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store are affected by Russia's latest move.

In relation to that, the tech minister requested the CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, to block the access of Russia to the Apple App Store amid the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

Apple App Store Might Show MORE Ads During the Holidays
This illustration photo shows the Apple app store logo reflected from an iPhone onto the back of an iMac in Los Angeles, August 26, 2021. by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images

However, the Cupertino-based tech giant did not comply with the request of the tech minister of Ukraine.

Instead, the iPhone maker decided to stop selling all its physical products, including its smartphone, iPads, and Macs, in the Russian nation, following the ongoing conflict.

On top of that, Apple has also made Russian media outlets, such as Sputnik News and RT News, inaccessible in its App Store.

Both Facebook and YouTube have also restricted access to the two news outlets of Russia.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Teejay Boris

ⓒ 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Join the Discussion
Real Time Analytics