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As part of a sustained effort to tighten control over digital platforms, state regulators have blocked access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that both applications were being used to plan and execute acts of terrorism within the country, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud along with other offenses targeting Russian citizens.

Roskomnadzor stated it took action on Snapchat in early October, though the announcement was publicly disclosed on Thursday.

Broader Campaign of Digital Crackdown

These latest moves come after similar blocks targeting major platforms like YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. The campaign of bans intensified after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, authorities have undertaken deliberate and multi-pronged efforts to control the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Adopting tough new laws.
• Banning online services that fail to comply with state demands.
• Advancing technology to monitor and manipulate internet traffic.

Other Examples of Crackdowns

Service for YouTube was slowed in the past in a case of targeted interference by officials. The Kremlin blamed Google for failing to maintain its hardware in Russia.

This summer, authorities tightened online access with broad disruptions of cellular data connections. Officials insisted this was required to counter drone strikes, but analysts contended a further measure to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Communication Platforms

The government has also acted against popular communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in recently. Furthermore, authorities outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the ban by stating the two apps were being used for criminal activities.

Concurrently, authorities have actively promoted a dubbed "national" communication platform called Max. Observers view it as a possible tool for oversight. The platform admits it will hand over data with authorities when asked, and experts note it lacks strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

According to lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations views any platform where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification requires that platforms register with the regulator and allow state security with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that possibly tens of millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the service as "expected" and warned that further services failing to cooperate with authorities "face blocking – that is clear."

Entertainment Platforms Too Affected

As another move, the authorities reported it was banning Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest game platform in Russia in October, with nearly 8 million active users.

While it is still feasible to circumvent some of these limitations by employing VPN services, such tools are also often blocked by authorities as well.