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Amid a sustained effort to tighten control over digital platforms, state regulators have restricted access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Block

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor stated that the two apps were utilized to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

Officials stated it enforced the restriction targeting Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the move was only made public on Thursday.

Wider Campaign of Digital Crackdown

These new restrictions are part of previous limitations targeting major platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of censorship escalated in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, the government have undertaken calculated and wide-ranging initiatives to curtail the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Banning digital platforms that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing systems to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Other Examples of Crackdowns

Service for the YouTube platform was disrupted previously in a case of intentional slowing by officials. The Kremlin attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, authorities further restricted connectivity with widespread shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. The government stated this was needed to counter drone strikes, but analysts saw it as another step to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Apps

The government has also targeted widely-used messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in this year. Additionally, officials outlawed calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the measure by saying the two apps were being used for criminal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have heavily pushed a so-called "national" communication platform called Max. Critics see it as a possible tool for oversight. The platform explicitly states it will share user data with officials if demanded, and experts note it lacks end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework views any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This classification mandates that platforms register with the regulator and provide Russia's security service with entry to communications. Platforms that fail to meet these demands are non-compliant and can get blocked.

Seleznev noted that potentially a large number of Russians had been using FaceTime, particularly after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the blocking of the service as "expected" and cautioned that other sites refusing to comply with authorities "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Entertainment Platforms Too Targeted

In a related move, the authorities reported it was banning the online game platform Roblox, citing child protection from harmful content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two gaming site in Russia in October, with approximately 8 million active users.

Although it remains feasible to circumvent some of these blocks by employing virtual private network services, such tools are frequently targeted by the regulator as well.