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

Stated Reasons for the Ban

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor claimed that both applications were being used to organize and conduct terrorist acts on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses against citizens.

The regulator said it initiated the block on Snapchat on October 10, though the decision was only reported more recently.

Wider Campaign of Internet Control

These latest moves follow previous limitations targeting key apps including Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of censorship intensified after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in calculated and wide-ranging initiatives to control the open internet. Measures have included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that refuse to cooperate with state demands.
• Advancing technology to observe and control online traffic.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Access to YouTube was disrupted in the past in what experts called targeted interference by regulators. The Kremlin attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, officials further restricted online access with extensive outages of mobile internet connections. Officials stated this was needed to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts contended an additional move to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

Regulators has also moved against popular messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. Furthermore, authorities outlawed calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the ban by stating the two apps were being facilitating criminal activities.

At the same time, authorities have championed a so-called "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Observers regard it as a potential tool for oversight. The platform admits it will hand over data with officials upon request, and experts note it lacks end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

According to cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework defines any platform where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This designation obligates that such services have an account with the regulator and provide the FSB with entry to communications. Those failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and face blocking.

Seleznev noted that potentially a large number of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and stated that other sites refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Sites Also Affected

In a related action, the government also said it was restricting Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from illicit content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the number two gaming site in Russia in October, with nearly eight million active users.

Although it remains possible to circumvent some of these limitations by utilizing VPN services, such tools are also often blocked by the regulator as well.