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As part of a continued crackdown to tighten control over digital platforms, state officials have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that these services were employed to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism on Russian soil, to enlist people and commit fraud and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Officials stated it initiated the block against Snapchat on October 10, although the announcement was only reported later.

Broader Context of Internet Control

These latest moves come after previous restrictions against key apps including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. The campaign of bans escalated in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in deliberate and multi-pronged initiatives to rein in the internet. Actions have involved:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Blocking websites and platforms that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Perfecting systems to monitor and manipulate internet traffic.

Other Instances of Restrictions

Access to the YouTube platform was slowed previously in a case of intentional slowing by officials. The Kremlin attributed the issue to Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, authorities further restricted connectivity with extensive disruptions of cellular data connections. Officials claimed this was required to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts argued another step to increase control over the internet.

Action Against Communication Apps

The government has also targeted widely-used messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in 2024. Additionally, officials prohibited calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the measure by stating the services were being involved in criminal activities.

At the same time, the state have heavily pushed a dubbed "national" communication platform called "Max". Experts see it as a possible monitoring instrument. The service openly declares it will hand over data with the government when asked, and analysts note it is not equipped with full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

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

This classification obligates that platforms register with the regulator and grant the FSB with the ability to monitor communications. Those failing to comply are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that possibly a large number of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the service as "expected" and cautioned that other sites refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Platforms Also Affected

As another move, the authorities also said it was restricting Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from illicit content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest gaming site in Russia recently, with close to eight million active users.

Although it remains possible to circumvent some of these restrictions by utilizing virtual private network services, those are routinely blocked by authorities as well.