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Amid a continued campaign to tighten control over internet access, state authorities have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on Apple's FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Ban

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were being used to organize and conduct terrorist acts inside Russia, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor stated it initiated the block on Snapchat in early October, even though the announcement was only made public more recently.

Wider Context of Internet Control

These latest moves follow previous limitations imposed on popular services like Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of restrictions began in earnest after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken systematic and wide-ranging strategies to control the internet. This has included:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Banning online services that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing technology to observe and control online traffic.

Other Instances of Restrictions

Service for the YouTube platform was disrupted in the past in a case of targeted interference by the authorities. The Kremlin pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its hardware in Russia.

In recent months, officials further restricted connectivity with extensive disruptions of cellphone internet connections. The government insisted this was required to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts argued another step to tighten control over the internet.

Action Against Communication Platforms

Regulators has also moved against popular communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in 2024. Additionally, officials prohibited voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the measure by claiming the two apps were being involved in illegal activities.

Simultaneously, the state have championed a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called Max. Critics view it as a potential monitoring instrument. The app explicitly states it will provide user information with authorities when asked, and experts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations defines any platform where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label mandates that such services register with the regulator and grant the FSB with entry to user accounts. Those failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and can get blocked.

Seleznev estimated that potentially many millions of Russians had been using FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that other sites failing to cooperate with authorities "face blocking – that's obvious."

Gaming Sites Too Targeted

As another move, the authorities reported it was banning Roblox, stating the reason was protecting children from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular gaming site in Russia in October, with close to eight million players.

Although it is still feasible to circumvent some of these restrictions by utilizing VPN services, such tools are also often blocked by officials as well.