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Amid a continued crackdown to tighten control over online communications, state regulators have blocked access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor stated that the two apps were utilized to plan and execute terrorist activities on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud as well as various crimes targeting Russian citizens.

The regulator said it enforced the restriction targeting Snapchat in early October, though the move was only reported later.

Wider Context of Online Restrictions

These new restrictions are part of similar blocks targeting key apps such as Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of censorship intensified following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in systematic and comprehensive initiatives to curtail the digital space. Measures have included:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Outlawing digital platforms that refuse to cooperate with local rules.
• Developing systems to observe and control digital communications.

Other Instances of Crackdowns

Access to YouTube was disrupted in the past in an incident described as targeted interference by officials. Authorities attributed the issue to Google for allegedly neglecting its servers in Russia.

Recently, officials further restricted online access with broad disruptions of cellphone internet connections. Officials insisted this was required to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts contended an additional move to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Regulators has also targeted popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in this year. This year, authorities prohibited calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the measure by stating the two apps were being used for crime.

Simultaneously, authorities have championed a so-called "national" communication platform called Max. Critics see it as a possible monitoring instrument. The platform admits it will provide user information with the government when asked, and analysts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law views any service where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This label mandates that platforms register with Roskomnadzor and grant the FSB with the ability to monitor user data. Services failing to meet these demands are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev noted that potentially many millions of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the service as "expected" and cautioned that other sites refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Platforms Too Affected

In a related development, the authorities also said it was blocking Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from illicit content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular gaming site in Russia recently, with close to eight million players.

While it remains feasible to circumvent some of these limitations by employing VPN services, those are also often blocked by officials as well.