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In a ongoing effort to increase oversight over digital platforms, state authorities have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Ban

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor claimed that these services were being used to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism inside Russia, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities and other crimes aimed at the populace.

Officials reported it enforced the restriction targeting Snapchat in early October, though the decision was only made public more recently.

Wider Context of Internet Control

These latest moves come after previous restrictions imposed on major platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of restrictions began in earnest following the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, the government have undertaken calculated and comprehensive efforts to rein in the internet. This has included:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Outlawing online services that fail to comply with local rules.
• Perfecting technology to monitor and manipulate internet traffic.

Recent Instances of Crackdowns

Access to YouTube was throttled in the past in a case of targeted interference by officials. Authorities attributed the issue to Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, authorities limited connectivity with widespread disruptions of cellular data connections. The government claimed this was necessary to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics saw it as a further measure to increase control over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Authorities has also moved against popular communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in 2024. Additionally, officials outlawed voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the ban by claiming the platforms were being used for criminal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have championed a so-called "domestic" communication platform called Max. Experts regard it as a possible surveillance tool. The platform admits it will share user data with the government upon request, and analysts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework views any platform where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label mandates that such services establish a presence with the regulator and grant state security with access to user data. Services failing to comply are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev noted that potentially tens of millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the restrictions against the service as "expected" and cautioned that other sites failing to cooperate with authorities "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Sites Also Targeted

In a related action, the government reported it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was safeguarding minors from harmful content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular gaming site in Russia recently, with approximately eight million players.

While it remains feasible to get around a few of these blocks by employing VPN services, such tools are also often blocked by the regulator as well.