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In a continued crackdown to increase oversight over online communications, state authorities have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Ban

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that these services were being used to facilitate and carry out terrorist activities within the country, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.

The regulator said it took action on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, though the announcement was publicly disclosed more recently.

Broader Context of Internet Control

These new restrictions follow similar restrictions imposed on key apps such as YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of bans escalated following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in deliberate and multi-pronged initiatives to curtail the internet. Measures have included:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Blocking online services that do not comply with state demands.
• Advancing technology to track and influence digital communications.

Other Instances of Crackdowns

Service for the YouTube platform was throttled previously in what experts called deliberate throttling by officials. Authorities blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, authorities limited internet access with broad disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government stated this was required to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts contended another step to increase control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Authorities has also acted against popular messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in recently. Additionally, authorities banned voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the action by claiming the two apps were being used for illegal activities.

Concurrently, authorities have actively promoted a so-called "national" messenger app called Max. Critics view it as a potential tool for oversight. The app explicitly states it will provide user information with authorities if demanded, and experts note it is not equipped with full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework defines any service where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This classification requires that such services register with Roskomnadzor and provide Russia's security service with entry to user data. Platforms that fail to meet these demands are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev noted that perhaps tens of millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the restrictions against the service as "expected" and warned that other sites that do not cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Sites Also Targeted

In a related move, the authorities also said it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was child protection from illicit content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest gaming site in Russia in October, with nearly 8 million players.

While it is still feasible to circumvent some of these limitations by employing VPN services, such tools are frequently targeted by officials as well.