Russia Blocks Signal App Citing Legislative Violations on Terrorism

On Friday, the Russian communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, announced to local media outlet RBK that access to the encrypted messaging app Signal has been blocked due to alleged legislative violations. According to the regulator, this action is aimed at preventing terrorism and extremism within the country.

Signal’s Unique Position

Signal is widely recognized for its robust security features and advanced encryption capabilities. While its functionality mirrors that of other major social media platforms, it has garnered a particular following among journalists operating in Russia, who value its commitment to privacy and secure communication.

This recent blockage of Signal is not an isolated incident; other social media platforms have faced similar restrictions in Russia. Notably, on March 4, 2022, Facebook was blocked, followed shortly by Instagram, both cited for alleged hate speech directed at the Russian military.

Regulatory Landscape

In addition to blocking access to specific applications, Roskomnadzor has implemented a series of stringent regulations governing social networking platforms. A press statement released on Thursday confirmed that these networks are now responsible for conducting independent inspections of their platforms to identify and remove illegal content. The regulator has also highlighted the substantial fines, amounting to millions of Rubles, imposed on various Western social media platforms during the first half of 2024.

Amid these developments, concerns are mounting that YouTube may be the next platform to face a similar fate. Users have reported outages reminiscent of those experienced during the Signal blockage, with many noting a significant reduction in service speed. This decline in performance and the speculation surrounding potential restrictions have intensified since the onset of the Ukraine conflict, as Russian authorities increasingly accuse social networking platforms of disseminating content that they label as “terrorism.”

What do hand signals mean in volleyball?

In volleyball, hand signals are used by referees to communicate their decisions clearly and consistently. Common hand signals include: 1) Pointing to the court to indicate the team that wins the point; 2) Raising an open hand with fingers together to signal a player touched the ball; 3) Raising both arms vertically to indicate 'ball in'; 4) Extending one arm parallel to the floor to signal 'ball out'; and 5) Showing a yellow or red card to indicate a warning or ejection. Players also use hand signals to indicate planned moves and strategies during the game.

How do you know if you're blocked on signal on iPhone?

If you're blocked on Signal on an iPhone, there are a few indicators: 1) Messages you send remain with a single checkmark, indicating they were sent but not delivered; 2) You can no longer see the person's profile picture or last seen status; 3) Calls to the contact will not go through; and 4) Any group messages you send or receive may not include the blocked contact. However, these signs are not definitive proof, as they could also result from other issues like network problems or the contact having uninstalled Signal.