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Amid a continued campaign to increase oversight over digital platforms, state regulators have restricted access to Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were employed to facilitate and carry out terrorist activities on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Roskomnadzor stated it took action on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, although the announcement was only reported more recently.

Wider Campaign of Internet Control

This recent action come after comparable blocks targeting key apps like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. The campaign of restrictions escalated after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, the government have pursued calculated and multi-pronged strategies to curtail the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Banning digital platforms that refuse to cooperate with state demands.
• Advancing technical capabilities to observe and control digital communications.

Other Instances of Restrictions

Access to the YouTube platform was disrupted previously in a case of intentional slowing by regulators. Russian officials blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its servers in Russia.

Recently, authorities limited online access with broad disruptions of mobile internet connections. Officials insisted this was necessary to thwart drone strikes, but experts argued a further measure to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Apps

Authorities has also acted against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in 2024. This year, authorities outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the action by claiming the platforms were being involved in criminal activities.

Concurrently, the state have championed a dubbed "national" communication platform called "Max". Observers view it as a possible surveillance tool. The app openly declares it will share user data with the government if demanded, and experts note it does not use full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations classifies any service where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation obligates that platforms register with the regulator and grant state security with access to user accounts. Platforms that fail to meet these demands are in violation and may be banned.

Seleznev estimated that possibly many millions of Russians had been using FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the service as "expected" and cautioned that other platforms that do not cooperate with authorities "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Platforms Also Affected

In a related development, the government also said it was banning Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia recently, with approximately 8 million players.

Although it remains feasible to get around a few of these restrictions by employing VPN services, VPNs themselves are routinely blocked by officials as well.