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In a continued crackdown to tighten control over internet access, Russian regulators have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that these services were employed to organize and conduct acts of terrorism inside Russia, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

The regulator said it took action against Snapchat on October 10, even though the announcement was publicly disclosed later.

Broader Campaign of Online Restrictions

These new restrictions come after comparable limitations targeting key apps like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of restrictions began in earnest in the wake of the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in systematic and wide-ranging strategies to rein in the internet. Measures have included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Blocking digital platforms that do not comply with state demands.
• Developing technology to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Other Instances of Restrictions

Service for YouTube was throttled previously in an incident described as targeted interference by the authorities. Russian officials attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, authorities further restricted online access with extensive disruptions of mobile internet connections. Officials insisted this was required to thwart drone strikes, but experts contended another step to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

Authorities has also targeted widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in 2024. Additionally, authorities prohibited voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the action by saying the services were being used for criminal activities.

Concurrently, authorities have actively promoted a so-called "domestic" messenger app called Max. Experts view it as a possible surveillance tool. The service openly declares it will provide user information with the government upon request, and experts note it lacks strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations classifies any platform where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation mandates that such services register with the regulator and allow Russia's security service with access to user data. Platforms that fail to do so are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps many millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that other sites refusing to comply with authorities "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Entertainment Sites Too Targeted

As another move, the authorities reported it was blocking Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from inappropriate material. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia recently, with approximately eight million players.

Although it remains feasible to get around a few of these limitations by utilizing VPN services, such tools are routinely blocked by authorities as well.