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As part of a sustained campaign to tighten control over internet access, state authorities have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on Apple's FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were utilized to organize and conduct terrorist activities inside Russia, to enlist people and commit fraud and other crimes aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor stated it took action targeting Snapchat back on the 10th of October, although the announcement was publicly disclosed on Thursday.

Wider Campaign of Internet Control

These latest moves are part of previous limitations against key apps such as YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of restrictions intensified in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, authorities have undertaken deliberate and wide-ranging strategies to control the internet. This has included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Outlawing digital platforms that fail to comply with state demands.
• Advancing technical capabilities to track and influence online traffic.

Recent Instances of Crackdowns

Service for the YouTube platform was throttled previously in a case of targeted interference by regulators. Authorities blamed YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, officials further restricted connectivity with widespread disruptions of cellular data connections. Officials stated this was required to thwart drone strikes, but critics saw it as a further measure to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Regulators has also moved against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in 2024. This year, officials banned voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the measure by saying the platforms were being involved in crime.

Simultaneously, the state have championed a so-called "national" messenger app called "Max". Experts see it as a potential tool for oversight. The app explicitly states it will share user data with officials if demanded, and analysts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

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

This label obligates that such services have an account with Roskomnadzor and provide Russia's security service with access to communications. Those failing to comply are non-compliant and may be banned.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps a large number of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "expected" and stated that other sites failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that is clear."

Gaming Sites Too Affected

In a separate move, the authorities reported it was banning the online game platform Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the number two game platform in Russia recently, with close to eight million monthly users.

While it remains feasible to circumvent some of these restrictions by using VPN services, such tools are also often blocked by officials as well.