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Amid a ongoing effort to tighten control over internet access, state regulators have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor claimed that the two apps were utilized to organize and conduct acts of terrorism within the country, for recruiting individuals and engage in fraudulent activities as well as various crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Roskomnadzor stated it took action on Snapchat on October 10, even though the decision was only made public more recently.

Broader Context of Online Restrictions

This recent action follow previous restrictions imposed on key apps including YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of restrictions began in earnest after the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, authorities have undertaken systematic and comprehensive initiatives to control the internet. This has included:

• Enacting stringent legislation.
• Banning digital platforms that do not comply with local rules.
• Advancing technical capabilities to observe and control online traffic.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

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

Recently, officials tightened online access with widespread shutdowns of mobile internet connections. Officials stated this was needed to counter drone strikes, but analysts argued an additional move to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Apps

The government has also targeted popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in recently. Additionally, authorities outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the measure by claiming the services were being facilitating illegal activities.

Simultaneously, the state have heavily pushed a so-called "domestic" messenger app called Max. Observers regard it as a potential tool for oversight. The app openly declares it will provide user information with officials upon request, and experts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Analysis

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations classifies any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This label mandates that such services have an account with Roskomnadzor and allow the FSB with entry to user accounts. Those failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and may be banned.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps many millions of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that other platforms failing to cooperate with authorities "face blocking – that is clear."

Entertainment Sites Too Affected

As another move, the government reported it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia last month, with close to eight million active users.

While it is still possible to bypass certain of these limitations by utilizing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by officials as well.