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In a sustained crackdown to tighten control over internet access, state authorities have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were employed to facilitate and carry out terrorist activities inside Russia, for recruiting individuals and engage in fraudulent activities and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Roskomnadzor reported it took action against Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the announcement was publicly disclosed more recently.

Broader Campaign of Digital Crackdown

These latest moves are part of similar restrictions targeting major platforms such as YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of restrictions intensified following the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, the government have pursued deliberate and wide-ranging initiatives to control the digital space. Measures have included:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Blocking online services that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Perfecting technology to track and influence online traffic.

Other Instances of Blocks

Service for the YouTube platform was throttled last year in an incident described as targeted interference by officials. Russian officials pointed the finger at Google for allegedly neglecting its hardware in Russia.

This summer, officials limited online access with broad disruptions of mobile internet connections. Officials insisted this was necessary to prevent drone strikes, but critics contended a further measure to increase control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

The government has also targeted widely-used messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in this year. Additionally, officials banned calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the action by stating the services were being facilitating illegal activities.

At the same time, the state have championed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Experts regard it as a potential tool for oversight. The service explicitly states it will provide user information with officials upon request, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

According to cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework classifies any service where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This designation requires that platforms establish a presence with the regulator and grant Russia's security service with entry to communications. 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 calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the restrictions against the Apple service as "predictable" and stated that further services that do not cooperate with authorities "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Sites Also Targeted

In a separate development, the authorities reported it was restricting Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest gaming site in Russia recently, with approximately eight million active users.

Although it is still possible to get around a few of these blocks by using virtual private network services, those are routinely blocked by authorities as well.