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In a ongoing crackdown to tighten control over internet access, state officials have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Ban

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

Roskomnadzor said it enforced the restriction against Snapchat in early October, although the announcement was only made public later.

Wider Campaign of Internet Control

These latest moves follow similar blocks against key apps like YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. The campaign of censorship escalated after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in deliberate and wide-ranging initiatives to control the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Blocking online services that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Perfecting technical capabilities to observe and control online traffic.

Recent Instances of Restrictions

Access to the YouTube platform was disrupted in the past in an incident described as targeted interference by regulators. The Kremlin blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, authorities further restricted internet access with extensive shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. The government insisted this was required to prevent drone strikes, but critics argued an additional move to assert dominance over the internet.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Regulators has also acted against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in this year. This year, authorities prohibited voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the ban by stating the platforms were being involved in criminal activities.

At the same time, authorities have heavily pushed a so-called "domestic" messenger app called Max. Critics view it as a potential surveillance tool. The platform explicitly states it will provide user information with officials when asked, and analysts note it does not use strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations views any service where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label requires that such services register with Roskomnadzor and provide the FSB with entry to user data. Platforms that fail to meet these demands are in violation and face blocking.

Seleznev noted that possibly tens of millions of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the restrictions against the service as "expected" and stated that other sites failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – that's obvious."

Gaming Sites Also Affected

In a separate move, the authorities also said it was banning Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from illicit content. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the number two game platform in Russia recently, with approximately 8 million players.

Although it remains possible to bypass certain of these blocks by utilizing virtual private network services, such tools are also often blocked by authorities as well.