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As part of a sustained effort to exert greater control over internet access, state authorities have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were utilized to organize and conduct terrorist acts on Russian soil, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities as well as various crimes targeting Russian citizens.

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

Wider Campaign of Digital Crackdown

These new restrictions come after previous restrictions against key apps such as YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of restrictions escalated in the wake of the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued deliberate and multi-pronged initiatives to curtail the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Enacting restrictive laws.
• Banning digital platforms that do not comply with state demands.
• Advancing systems to observe and control online traffic.

Recent Instances of Restrictions

Service for YouTube was slowed last year in what experts called intentional slowing by the authorities. Authorities attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, officials limited internet access with broad shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. The government claimed this was necessary to prevent drone strikes, but analysts saw it as a further measure to increase control over the internet.

Action Against Communication Apps

Regulators has also moved against widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in this year. This year, authorities banned voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the ban by stating the platforms were being used for criminal activities.

Simultaneously, the state have championed a so-called "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Observers see it as a potential tool for oversight. The app explicitly states it will hand over data with the government when asked, and experts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Commentary

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework classifies any service where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label requires that platforms establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and allow Russia's security service with access to user accounts. Platforms that fail to do so are in violation and may be banned.

Seleznev noted that possibly a large number of Russians had been using FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and warned that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – that is clear."

Gaming Sites Also Targeted

As another action, the authorities announced it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, citing protecting children from harmful content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia last month, with close to eight million players.

While it remains possible to circumvent some of these blocks by using VPN services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by authorities as well.