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In a sustained campaign to exert greater control over internet access, state authorities have restricted access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were utilized to plan and execute terrorist activities on Russian soil, to enlist people and carry out fraud as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator said it took action on Snapchat on October 10, even though the move was only reported on Thursday.

Wider Context of Internet Control

These latest moves are part of comparable restrictions against major platforms like Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of censorship escalated following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued systematic and wide-ranging strategies to rein in the digital space. This has included:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Blocking digital platforms that refuse to cooperate with Russian regulations.
• Advancing systems to observe and control digital communications.

Recent Examples of Blocks

Service for the YouTube platform was throttled in the past in a case of targeted interference by officials. Russian officials pointed the finger at Google for failing to maintain its hardware in Russia.

In recent months, officials further restricted internet access with widespread disruptions of cellular data connections. The government stated this was necessary to thwart drone strikes, but critics saw it as an additional move to increase control over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

Authorities has also moved against widely-used messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in 2024. Additionally, authorities prohibited calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the measure by saying the platforms were being involved in crime.

Simultaneously, authorities have championed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called Max. Experts regard it as a possible surveillance tool. The service explicitly states it will provide user information with the government if demanded, and analysts note it does not use strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations defines any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation mandates that such services register with the regulator and grant Russia's security service with access to user accounts. Those failing to comply are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps many millions of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He called the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and cautioned that further services failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – that is clear."

Entertainment Platforms Also Targeted

In a separate move, the government also said it was banning Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from illicit content. Per data from research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest gaming site in Russia recently, with nearly 8 million monthly users.

Although it remains possible to bypass certain of these limitations by utilizing VPN services, such tools are routinely blocked by authorities as well.