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In a ongoing campaign to tighten control over online communications, Russian officials have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on Apple's video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Restrictions

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were utilized to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

The regulator stated it initiated the block against Snapchat on October 10, though the announcement was only reported more recently.

Wider Context of Digital Crackdown

These latest moves follow previous blocks against key apps such as YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of bans intensified after the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued systematic and multi-pronged initiatives to rein in the internet. Actions have involved:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Blocking websites and platforms that do not comply with local rules.
• Developing technical capabilities to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Other Examples of Restrictions

Service for YouTube was throttled in the past in an incident described as targeted interference by regulators. The Kremlin pointed the finger at Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, authorities tightened connectivity with widespread disruptions of cellular data connections. The government stated this was necessary to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts saw it as an additional move to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

The government has also targeted popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in this year. This year, officials banned voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the measure by claiming the services were being facilitating illegal activities.

Concurrently, the state have heavily pushed a so-called "domestic" communication platform called Max. Experts regard it as a potential monitoring instrument. The app openly declares it will share user data with the government when asked, and experts note it does not use strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Commentary

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework defines any service where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label obligates that platforms register with the regulator and allow Russia's security service with the ability to monitor user data. Services failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and may be banned.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps tens of millions of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the service as "expected" and stated that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Sites Also Targeted

In a related action, the authorities reported it was restricting Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia last month, with nearly 8 million monthly users.

While it remains possible to bypass certain of these blocks by using VPN services, such tools are routinely blocked by authorities as well.