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In a ongoing campaign to tighten control over digital platforms, state authorities have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that these services were utilized to facilitate and carry out terrorist acts within the country, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud along with other offenses against citizens.

The regulator reported it initiated the block on Snapchat on October 10, though the announcement was only reported later.

Broader Campaign of Internet Control

These latest moves are part of similar restrictions targeting key apps like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of bans intensified in the wake of the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in deliberate and wide-ranging efforts to control the digital space. Measures have included:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Banning digital platforms that refuse to cooperate with local rules.
• Developing technology to track and influence online traffic.

Recent Examples of Crackdowns

Access to YouTube was throttled in the past in an incident described as intentional slowing by regulators. The Kremlin pointed the finger at Google for not properly maintaining its hardware in Russia.

Recently, authorities tightened internet access with extensive shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. The government stated this was needed to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts saw it as a further measure to increase control over the internet.

Action Against Communication Apps

The government has also acted against widely-used messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in 2024. Additionally, officials prohibited voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the action by stating the two apps were being used for criminal activities.

Concurrently, authorities have actively promoted a so-called "national" messenger app called Max. Experts regard it as a possible surveillance tool. The service admits it will provide user information with authorities upon request, and experts note it does not use end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

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

This label obligates that such services have an account with Roskomnadzor and grant state security with the ability to monitor user data. Services failing to comply are in violation and may be banned.

Seleznev estimated that potentially tens of millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and cautioned that other platforms failing to cooperate with authorities "face blocking – that is clear."

Entertainment Sites Too Affected

In a separate move, the government also said it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, citing protecting children from harmful content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular game platform in Russia last month, with close to eight million active users.

Although it remains feasible to circumvent some of these blocks by using virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are frequently targeted by officials as well.