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As part of a continued crackdown to tighten control over digital platforms, Russian authorities have blocked access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor claimed that the two apps were employed to plan and execute acts of terrorism inside Russia, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.

The regulator reported it enforced the restriction against Snapchat on October 10, even though the move was publicly disclosed on Thursday.

Broader Campaign of Online Restrictions

This recent action are part of similar restrictions against popular services including YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of bans intensified in the wake of the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken deliberate and comprehensive initiatives to curtail the internet. Actions have involved:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Blocking digital platforms that fail to comply with local rules.
• Developing technology to observe and control online traffic.

Recent Examples of Crackdowns

Access to the YouTube platform was slowed previously in what experts called intentional slowing by officials. Russian officials attributed the issue to Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, authorities limited online access with broad disruptions of cellphone internet connections. Officials insisted this was necessary to counter drone strikes, but experts contended another step to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Apps

The government has also targeted popular messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in this year. Additionally, authorities outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the measure by claiming the platforms were being used for criminal activities.

At the same time, authorities have championed a so-called "national" messenger app called Max. Experts regard it as a potential tool for oversight. The service openly declares it will hand over data with officials upon request, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Analysis

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law classifies any service where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation mandates that platforms register with the regulator and allow the FSB with the ability to monitor user accounts. Services failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and face blocking.

Seleznev noted that perhaps many millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the service as "expected" and stated that other platforms refusing to comply with authorities "face blocking – that's obvious."

Gaming Sites Also Targeted

As another action, the government also said it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from illicit content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest game platform in Russia last month, with approximately eight million players.

Although it remains feasible to circumvent some of these restrictions by employing virtual private network services, such tools are routinely blocked by authorities as well.