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In a sustained crackdown to exert greater control over online communications, state regulators have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were utilized to plan and execute terrorist acts on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and commit fraud as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator reported it enforced the restriction on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, although the decision was publicly disclosed later.

Wider Context of Online Restrictions

These new restrictions come after previous limitations targeting popular services like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of censorship began in earnest following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, the government have pursued systematic and comprehensive initiatives to control the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Banning online services that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing technology to monitor and manipulate digital communications.

Other Examples of Blocks

Access to YouTube was disrupted in the past in what experts called intentional slowing by the authorities. Authorities pointed the finger at Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, authorities further restricted online access with widespread shutdowns of cellular data connections. The government stated this was needed to counter drone strikes, but analysts saw it as an additional move to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Apps

Authorities has also acted against popular messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in 2024. This year, authorities banned calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the action by saying the platforms were being used for crime.

At the same time, the state have championed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Experts see it as a potential tool for oversight. The service admits it will hand over data with officials if demanded, and experts note it lacks strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law defines any service where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This label requires that platforms establish a presence with the regulator and provide the FSB with access to user accounts. Platforms that fail to comply are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev noted that perhaps tens of millions of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that further services failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Entertainment Sites Too Targeted

In a related action, the authorities reported it was restricting Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from harmful content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the number two gaming site in Russia in October, with nearly 8 million active users.

Although it remains possible to get around a few of these restrictions by using virtual private network services, such tools are also often blocked by authorities as well.