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In a ongoing campaign to tighten control over digital platforms, Russian regulators have cut off access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Ban

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that these services were utilized to plan and execute acts of terrorism within the country, to enlist people and commit fraud along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

The regulator reported it enforced the restriction targeting Snapchat on October 10, though the announcement was only reported later.

Wider Context of Internet Control

This recent action follow similar blocks imposed on key apps like Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of restrictions began in earnest after the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in systematic and wide-ranging initiatives to control the open internet. Measures have included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Blocking online services that refuse to cooperate with state demands.
• Perfecting technical capabilities to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Recent Instances of Restrictions

Service for the YouTube platform was disrupted last year in a case of deliberate throttling by the authorities. The Kremlin blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, officials further restricted connectivity with broad disruptions of mobile internet connections. Officials claimed this was required to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts saw it as an additional move to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Apps

Regulators has also targeted widely-used messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in 2024. Additionally, officials outlawed voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the action by stating the platforms were being used for criminal activities.

At the same time, authorities have heavily pushed a dubbed "national" messenger app called Max. Critics regard it as a potential tool for oversight. The service explicitly states it will share user data with authorities when asked, and experts note it lacks strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

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

This classification requires that platforms establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and grant Russia's security service with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and may be banned.

Seleznev pointed out that potentially many millions of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and cautioned that other platforms refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Entertainment Platforms Too Targeted

In a separate action, the government also said it was banning Roblox, citing child protection from illicit content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest gaming site in Russia recently, with nearly 8 million monthly users.

Although it remains possible to get around a few of these blocks by employing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are routinely blocked by the regulator as well.