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As part of a ongoing crackdown to exert greater control over online communications, Russian officials have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that these services were employed to plan and execute acts of terrorism inside Russia, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Officials reported it initiated the block against Snapchat in early October, though the announcement was only made public later.

Wider Context of Digital Crackdown

These new restrictions follow similar blocks imposed on popular services like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of censorship intensified following the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, authorities have undertaken systematic and multi-pronged strategies to curtail the open internet. Measures have included:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Banning digital platforms that refuse to cooperate with state demands.
• Developing technical capabilities to track and influence internet traffic.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Service for the YouTube platform was slowed last year in an incident described as targeted interference by the authorities. Russian officials blamed YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, officials further restricted connectivity with widespread disruptions of cellphone internet connections. The government insisted this was needed to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics saw it as an additional move to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Regulators has also acted against popular messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in recently. Furthermore, officials prohibited calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the action by claiming the two apps were being involved in illegal activities.

Concurrently, the state have heavily pushed a so-called "national" messenger app called Max. Critics see it as a potential surveillance tool. The platform admits it will share user data with officials when asked, and analysts note it lacks end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law classifies any platform where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification mandates that platforms register with the regulator and allow the FSB with the ability to monitor communications. Platforms that fail to comply are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps many millions of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He called the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and warned that other sites failing to cooperate with authorities "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Platforms Too Targeted

In a separate development, the authorities reported it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from harmful content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the number two gaming site in Russia in October, with nearly eight million monthly users.

While it remains possible to bypass certain of these restrictions by employing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are frequently targeted by officials as well.