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In a ongoing campaign to tighten control over digital platforms, state authorities have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that these services were employed to plan and execute terrorist activities on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

The regulator stated it initiated the block targeting Snapchat on October 10, though the move was only made public later.

Wider Campaign of Internet Control

These latest moves follow comparable restrictions against major platforms like Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. The campaign of restrictions intensified after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in calculated and wide-ranging strategies to control the internet. This has included:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Blocking websites and platforms that refuse to cooperate with state demands.
• Developing technical capabilities to track and influence online traffic.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Service for YouTube was disrupted in the past in an incident described as targeted interference by officials. The Kremlin attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, officials limited online access with extensive outages of mobile internet connections. Officials insisted this was required to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics contended an additional move to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Authorities has also targeted widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in 2024. Furthermore, authorities banned calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the action by claiming the services were being facilitating criminal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have championed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called Max. Observers view it as a possible tool for oversight. The service explicitly states it will hand over data with the government when asked, and experts note it does not use end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

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

This label requires that such services register with the regulator and provide state security with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to comply are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev noted that perhaps many millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "predictable" and cautioned that other sites refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Sites Too Affected

In a related development, the government announced it was blocking Roblox, stating the reason was safeguarding minors from illicit content. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia recently, with nearly 8 million active users.

Although it remains possible to bypass certain of these blocks by using virtual private network services, those are routinely blocked by the regulator as well.