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As part of a sustained campaign to tighten control over internet access, state regulators have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor claimed that the two apps were utilized to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism inside Russia, for recruiting individuals and commit fraud along with other offenses targeting Russian citizens.

Roskomnadzor stated it initiated the block against Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the decision was only made public on Thursday.

Wider Context of Internet Control

These latest moves are part of previous restrictions targeting major platforms including YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of restrictions intensified after the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, the government have pursued calculated and comprehensive strategies to rein in the digital space. Measures have included:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Outlawing digital platforms that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Perfecting technology to monitor and manipulate internet traffic.

Other Examples of Restrictions

Access to the YouTube platform was slowed previously in an incident described as targeted interference by the authorities. Russian officials blamed YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, authorities limited connectivity with broad shutdowns of cellular data connections. The government insisted this was necessary to counter drone strikes, but experts contended another step to increase control over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

Regulators has also moved against widely-used messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in 2024. Furthermore, officials banned calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the ban by stating the two apps were being involved in criminal activities.

Concurrently, authorities have championed a dubbed "national" communication platform called "Max". Observers see it as a possible surveillance tool. The app explicitly states it will share user data with the government when asked, and analysts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

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

This designation requires that such services establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and allow Russia's security service with access to user accounts. Those failing to comply are non-compliant and can get blocked.

Seleznev noted that possibly tens of millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "predictable" and stated that other sites that do not cooperate with authorities "are likely to be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Platforms Also Affected

In a separate move, the government reported it was banning the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was child protection from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two gaming site in Russia in October, with nearly 8 million players.

While it remains possible to circumvent some of these restrictions by using VPN services, such tools are frequently targeted by the regulator as well.