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In a ongoing effort to increase oversight over internet access, Russian authorities have restricted access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor claimed that both applications were being used to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses against citizens.

The regulator said it enforced the restriction against Snapchat on October 10, though the move was only reported more recently.

Broader Context of Digital Crackdown

This recent action follow comparable limitations imposed on popular services like YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of restrictions intensified in the wake of the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken deliberate and multi-pronged initiatives to control the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Adopting tough new laws.
• Banning online services that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Developing systems to track and influence digital communications.

Other Instances of Blocks

Access to YouTube was disrupted last year in an incident described as targeted interference by officials. Authorities pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its hardware in Russia.

Recently, authorities limited online access with broad disruptions of cellular data connections. Officials claimed this was needed to counter drone strikes, but critics argued an additional move to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Platforms

Authorities has also acted against popular communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in this year. Furthermore, authorities outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the measure by stating the services were being involved in crime.

Concurrently, the state have actively promoted a dubbed "national" communication platform called Max. Observers regard it as a potential monitoring instrument. The app explicitly states it will hand over data with the government when asked, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Analysis

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

This designation requires that such services register with Roskomnadzor and provide the FSB with entry to user data. Platforms that fail to comply are non-compliant and face blocking.

Seleznev noted that possibly many millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the blocking of the Apple service as "expected" and warned that further services that do not cooperate with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – that's obvious."

Entertainment Platforms Also Affected

In a related development, the government reported it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from illicit content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest gaming site in Russia last month, with approximately eight million monthly users.

While it is still feasible to get around a few of these blocks by employing VPN services, those are routinely blocked by the regulator as well.