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As part of a sustained crackdown to tighten control over digital platforms, Russian regulators have restricted access to Snapchat and placed curbs on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that the two apps were employed to plan and execute terrorist activities on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor said it took action against Snapchat in early October, though the move was only reported more recently.

Broader Context of Online Restrictions

These latest moves come after previous restrictions imposed on major platforms including YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of censorship escalated in the wake of the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken systematic and comprehensive efforts to control the digital space. Measures have included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Banning websites and platforms that do not comply with local rules.
• Advancing systems to track and influence online traffic.

Recent Examples of Crackdowns

Service for YouTube was slowed last year in an incident described as deliberate throttling by regulators. Russian officials attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its hardware in Russia.

Recently, officials tightened internet access with extensive disruptions of cellular data connections. The government stated this was needed to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts saw it as a further measure to tighten control over the internet.

Action Against Messaging Apps

Authorities has also moved against widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. Furthermore, authorities outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the measure by claiming the platforms were being used for crime.

At the same time, the state have championed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Experts regard it as a potential surveillance tool. The service admits it will share user data with authorities if demanded, and experts note it lacks end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

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

This designation mandates that such services establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and grant Russia's security service with the ability to monitor communications. Those failing to do so are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps many millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the service as "expected" and stated that other sites that do not cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Sites Also Affected

In a separate development, the authorities also said it was blocking Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from harmful content. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the number two gaming site in Russia in October, with approximately 8 million players.

While it remains possible to get around a few of these restrictions by employing virtual private network services, those are also often blocked by authorities as well.