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As part of a ongoing crackdown to tighten control over internet access, Russian authorities have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on Apple's video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were being used to organize and conduct acts of terrorism on Russian soil, to enlist people and carry out fraud along with other offenses against citizens.

Officials said it initiated the block against Snapchat in early October, though the decision was publicly disclosed more recently.

Wider Context of Online Restrictions

These latest moves come after comparable limitations against major platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. The campaign of censorship began in earnest following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, the government have pursued systematic and comprehensive strategies to control the open internet. This has included:

• Adopting stringent legislation.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Developing technical capabilities to observe and control digital communications.

Recent Instances of Blocks

Access to YouTube was disrupted last year in an incident described as targeted interference by the authorities. Russian officials attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its servers in Russia.

In recent months, officials tightened internet access with extensive disruptions of cellular data connections. Officials stated this was required to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts saw it as another step to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Apps

Authorities has also targeted popular messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in 2024. This year, authorities prohibited calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the ban by saying the two apps were being involved in criminal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have championed a so-called "domestic" messenger app called Max. Critics view it as a potential tool for oversight. The service explicitly states it will provide user information with officials if demanded, and analysts note it does not use end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Analysis

According to cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations views any service where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label mandates that such services register with Roskomnadzor and allow the FSB with entry to communications. Services failing to do so are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that possibly a large number of Russians had been using FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the blocking of the service as "predictable" and warned that further services that do not cooperate with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – it is inevitable."

Gaming Platforms Too Targeted

In a related move, the government also said it was banning the online game platform Roblox, citing protecting children from inappropriate material. Per data from research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia recently, with nearly eight million active users.

Although it is still feasible to get around a few of these restrictions by using VPN services, those are routinely blocked by officials as well.