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Amid a ongoing campaign to exert greater control over online communications, Russian regulators have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were being used to plan and execute terrorist acts within the country, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses targeting Russian citizens.

Roskomnadzor reported it enforced the restriction on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the announcement was only made public more recently.

Broader Context of Internet Control

These latest moves follow previous blocks imposed on key apps like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of bans began in earnest after the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in calculated and wide-ranging efforts to curtail the open internet. Measures have included:

• Enacting restrictive laws.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that do not comply with local rules.
• Perfecting technology to track and influence online traffic.

Recent Examples of Blocks

Service for the YouTube platform was slowed previously in an incident described as intentional slowing by officials. The Kremlin pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, officials limited connectivity with broad disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government insisted this was needed to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts contended an additional move to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

The government has also acted against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in this year. Furthermore, officials prohibited calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the measure by saying the services were being involved in criminal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have heavily pushed a so-called "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Experts view it as a possible surveillance tool. The platform admits it will share user data with authorities when asked, and analysts note it lacks full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

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

This label obligates that platforms have an account with Roskomnadzor and allow state security with the ability to monitor communications. Platforms that fail to meet these demands are in violation and may be banned.

Seleznev pointed out that potentially many millions of Russians had been using FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and stated that other platforms failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Platforms Also Affected

As another development, the authorities announced it was blocking Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia in October, with approximately eight million monthly users.

While it is still possible to bypass certain of these limitations by employing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are frequently targeted by the regulator as well.