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As part of a ongoing crackdown to tighten control over online communications, state officials have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that these services were utilized to plan and execute terrorist acts within the country, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

The regulator said it initiated the block targeting Snapchat back on the 10th of October, although the decision was only made public more recently.

Wider Campaign of Digital Crackdown

These latest moves come after previous blocks against popular services like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of bans intensified in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, authorities have undertaken systematic and multi-pronged strategies to control the digital space. This has included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Outlawing online services that fail to comply with state demands.
• Perfecting technical capabilities to track and influence digital communications.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Service for the YouTube platform was disrupted last year in an incident described as intentional slowing by officials. Russian officials pointed the finger at Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, authorities limited online access with extensive shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. Officials stated this was necessary to thwart drone strikes, but analysts saw it as another step to tighten control over the internet.

Action Against Communication Platforms

The government has also moved against popular messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in 2024. Furthermore, authorities prohibited voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the measure by saying the two apps were being facilitating criminal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have heavily pushed a so-called "national" communication platform called Max. Critics see it as a possible monitoring instrument. The app openly declares it will share user data with the government if demanded, and experts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework defines any platform where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation mandates that platforms have an account with the regulator and allow Russia's security service with access to user data. Those failing to meet these demands are in violation and face blocking.

Seleznev estimated that possibly many millions of Russians 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 platforms refusing to comply with authorities "will be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Platforms Too Targeted

In a separate move, the government reported it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was protecting children from inappropriate material. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest gaming site in Russia last month, with approximately 8 million monthly users.

Although it remains feasible to get around a few of these restrictions by utilizing VPN services, VPNs themselves are routinely blocked by authorities as well.