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As part of a ongoing effort to exert greater control over internet access, Russian regulators have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that these services were employed to plan and execute terrorist acts within the country, to enlist people and carry out fraud and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Roskomnadzor said it enforced the restriction targeting Snapchat in early October, although the decision was only made public on Thursday.

Broader Context of Digital Crackdown

These new restrictions are part of similar limitations imposed on key apps including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of bans intensified in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in systematic and multi-pronged strategies to control the digital space. Measures have included:

• Enacting stringent legislation.
• Blocking online services that refuse to cooperate with Russian regulations.
• Perfecting technical capabilities to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Other Examples of Blocks

Service for the YouTube platform was disrupted last year in what experts called targeted interference by regulators. Russian officials pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, officials limited online access with extensive disruptions of mobile internet connections. Officials insisted this was necessary to prevent drone strikes, but critics contended an additional move to increase control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Apps

Regulators has also moved against popular communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in recently. Furthermore, officials outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the measure by stating the two apps were being facilitating illegal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have championed a dubbed "national" communication platform called "Max". Critics regard it as a potential surveillance tool. The platform admits it will share user data with the government if demanded, and experts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework classifies any service where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification requires that platforms have an account with the regulator and provide state security with the ability to monitor communications. Those failing to do so are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps a large number of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the service as "predictable" and warned that other platforms refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Platforms Too Affected

As another development, the government reported it was banning the online game platform Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia recently, with approximately 8 million monthly users.

Although it remains possible to circumvent some of these blocks by utilizing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by the regulator as well.