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In a sustained effort to increase oversight over digital platforms, state officials have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Ban

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor claimed that both applications were being used to plan and execute terrorist acts on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and carry out fraud along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

The regulator reported it took action against Snapchat on October 10, even though the announcement was only reported on Thursday.

Wider Context of Internet Control

These new restrictions follow comparable limitations against key apps such as YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of censorship escalated after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in deliberate and multi-pronged initiatives to curtail the open internet. This has included:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Blocking websites and platforms that do not comply with state demands.
• Developing technology to track and influence online traffic.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Access to YouTube was throttled last year in a case of targeted interference by officials. Authorities pointed the finger at Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, officials tightened internet access with widespread shutdowns of cellular data connections. The government stated this was necessary to counter drone strikes, but analysts contended an additional move to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Regulators has also moved against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in 2024. This year, officials prohibited calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the measure by saying the services were being facilitating criminal activities.

Concurrently, authorities have heavily pushed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Experts view it as a potential tool for oversight. The service explicitly states it will hand over data with officials if demanded, and analysts note it lacks end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Commentary

According to lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations classifies any service where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This designation obligates that such services establish a presence with the regulator and provide the FSB with access to user data. Platforms that fail to comply are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that potentially tens of millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the service as "expected" and warned that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Sites Too Affected

In a related action, the government reported it was banning the online game platform Roblox, citing child protection from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest game platform in Russia in October, with approximately eight million monthly users.

While it is still possible to circumvent some of these blocks by using VPN services, those are also often blocked by officials as well.