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As part of a ongoing crackdown to increase oversight over internet access, Russian officials have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Ban

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that these services were being used to facilitate and carry out terrorist acts on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud and other crimes against citizens.

The regulator said it initiated the block on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the move was only made public more recently.

Wider Campaign of Internet Control

These new restrictions come after similar restrictions against key apps such as Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of restrictions escalated in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, authorities have undertaken calculated and wide-ranging initiatives to curtail the digital space. Measures have included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that fail to comply with state demands.
• Perfecting technical capabilities to monitor and manipulate internet traffic.

Other Instances of Restrictions

Access to YouTube was disrupted last year in an incident described as targeted interference by officials. Russian officials blamed YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its hardware in Russia.

This summer, officials further restricted online access with extensive shutdowns of mobile internet connections. Officials claimed this was required to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics contended an additional move to tighten control over the internet.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

Authorities has also moved against popular messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in 2024. Additionally, authorities outlawed calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the action by claiming the platforms were being facilitating criminal activities.

Simultaneously, the state have heavily pushed a so-called "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Critics see it as a possible tool for oversight. The platform openly declares it will share user data with authorities if demanded, and analysts note it lacks full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law classifies any platform where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This label obligates that platforms have an account with the regulator and allow Russia's security service with entry to user accounts. Platforms that fail to comply are non-compliant and may be banned.

Seleznev noted that potentially many millions of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "predictable" and cautioned that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – that is clear."

Entertainment Platforms Too Targeted

In a related development, the government announced it was banning Roblox, stating the reason was protecting children from harmful content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest gaming site in Russia in October, with approximately 8 million players.

While it remains feasible to get around a few of these limitations by utilizing virtual private network services, those are frequently targeted by the regulator as well.