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As part of a continued crackdown to increase oversight over digital platforms, state officials have blocked access to Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that the two apps were being used to plan and execute acts of terrorism within the country, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities and other crimes against citizens.

The regulator said it took action against Snapchat back on the 10th of October, though the announcement was publicly disclosed on Thursday.

Wider Context of Online Restrictions

These new restrictions are part of similar limitations targeting major platforms such as YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of bans intensified after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken systematic and wide-ranging initiatives to rein in the open internet. Measures have included:

• Passing stringent legislation.
• Outlawing online services that refuse to cooperate with Russian regulations.
• Perfecting technical capabilities to track and influence online traffic.

Recent Examples of Blocks

Access to YouTube was slowed previously in an incident described as intentional slowing by the authorities. Authorities attributed the issue to Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, officials further restricted connectivity with extensive shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. Officials insisted this was required to counter drone strikes, but analysts contended a further measure to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

Authorities has also moved against popular messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in 2024. This year, authorities prohibited calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the ban by saying the platforms were being facilitating illegal activities.

Concurrently, authorities have championed a so-called "domestic" communication platform called Max. Observers view it as a possible surveillance tool. The service openly declares it will share user data with authorities if demanded, and experts note it lacks full encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Analysis

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law views any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This label requires that platforms establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and provide the FSB with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that possibly tens of millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the service as "expected" and stated that other sites refusing to comply with authorities "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Platforms Also Affected

As another development, the government reported it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from illicit content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia in October, with close to eight million active users.

Although it is still possible to bypass certain of these limitations by utilizing VPN services, such tools are frequently targeted by officials as well.