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In a continued crackdown to tighten control over online communications, Russian authorities have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Ban

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged that these services were utilized to facilitate and carry out terrorist activities on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and commit fraud and other crimes against citizens.

Officials reported it initiated the block on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the decision was only made public later.

Wider Campaign of Internet Control

These latest moves come after comparable limitations targeting key apps like YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of bans began in earnest following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, authorities have pursued calculated and multi-pronged strategies to curtail the open internet. This has included:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Developing technology to observe and control online traffic.

Other Examples of Crackdowns

Service for the YouTube platform was slowed last year in a case of intentional slowing by regulators. Russian officials blamed Google for failing to maintain its servers in Russia.

In recent months, authorities limited connectivity with widespread disruptions of cellphone internet connections. Officials claimed this was needed to prevent drone strikes, but critics saw it as an additional move to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Authorities has also acted against widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in this year. This year, officials outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the action by claiming the services were being facilitating criminal activities.

At the same time, authorities have actively promoted a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Observers see it as a possible monitoring instrument. The app admits it will provide user information with the government when asked, and experts note it is not equipped with full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law classifies any service where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label obligates that platforms establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and grant state security with access to user data. Those failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps tens of millions of Russians had been using FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "expected" and warned that other platforms failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Sites Also Targeted

In a related action, the government also said it was banning Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from illicit content. Per data from research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia recently, with approximately 8 million players.

Although it remains possible to get around a few of these limitations by using VPN services, those are also often blocked by the regulator as well.