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In a ongoing campaign to exert greater control over digital platforms, Russian authorities have blocked access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged that both applications were utilized to plan and execute acts of terrorism inside Russia, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor reported it enforced the restriction against Snapchat in early October, although the move was only made public later.

Wider Campaign of Digital Crackdown

This recent action follow previous limitations targeting key apps including YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of bans escalated in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in deliberate and comprehensive strategies to control the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Banning websites and platforms that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Perfecting systems to track and influence internet traffic.

Recent Instances of Blocks

Service for the YouTube platform was disrupted last year in an incident described as targeted interference by regulators. The Kremlin pointed the finger at Google for failing to maintain its hardware in Russia.

In recent months, authorities further restricted connectivity with extensive disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government claimed this was needed to thwart drone strikes, but critics saw it as another step to increase control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Platforms

The government has also acted against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. Furthermore, authorities prohibited calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the action by claiming the two apps were being involved in illegal activities.

Concurrently, authorities have championed a so-called "national" messenger app called Max. Critics see it as a potential monitoring instrument. The app explicitly states it will share user data with authorities if demanded, and experts note it lacks strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Analysis

According to cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations views any platform where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label mandates that platforms have an account with Roskomnadzor and allow Russia's security service with the ability to monitor user data. Platforms that fail to do so are in violation and face blocking.

Seleznev noted that possibly many millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that other platforms that do not cooperate with authorities "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Sites Too Targeted

As another move, the authorities announced it was restricting Roblox, citing protecting children from inappropriate material. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the number two gaming site in Russia recently, with approximately eight million players.

While it remains feasible to bypass certain of these limitations by utilizing virtual private network services, such tools are routinely blocked by the regulator as well.