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As part of a continued crackdown to increase oversight over internet access, state authorities have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were being used to plan and execute acts of terrorism on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

The regulator stated it enforced the restriction against Snapchat on October 10, even though the move was publicly disclosed later.

Broader Context of Digital Crackdown

These latest moves follow comparable restrictions imposed on key apps including Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of censorship began in earnest in the wake of the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued systematic and comprehensive efforts to rein in the open internet. This has included:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Banning digital platforms that fail to comply with local rules.
• Developing technology to monitor and manipulate internet traffic.

Other Examples of Crackdowns

Access to YouTube was slowed last year in an incident described as intentional slowing by officials. Russian officials attributed the issue to Google for allegedly neglecting its servers in Russia.

This summer, officials tightened online access with broad outages of mobile internet connections. Officials insisted this was required to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts argued another step to increase control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Authorities has also acted against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in this year. Furthermore, authorities banned calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the action by claiming the two apps were being facilitating illegal activities.

Simultaneously, the state have actively promoted a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called Max. Experts regard it as a possible tool for oversight. The app admits it will hand over data with authorities upon request, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law views any platform where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification obligates that such services register with the regulator and grant state security with access to user data. Those failing to meet these demands are in violation and face blocking.

Seleznev noted that possibly a large number of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the Apple service as "expected" and stated that other sites refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Platforms Also Affected

In a separate development, the authorities also said it was restricting Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from harmful content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia last month, with approximately eight million monthly users.

While it remains possible to circumvent some of these limitations by using virtual private network services, such tools are routinely blocked by the regulator as well.