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In a continued crackdown to tighten control over digital platforms, Russian officials have blocked access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor claimed that these services were being used to facilitate and carry out terrorist acts within the country, for recruiting individuals and engage in fraudulent activities and other crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator said it took action on Snapchat on October 10, even though the decision was only reported on Thursday.

Broader Campaign of Online Restrictions

These new restrictions follow comparable restrictions against major platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of restrictions began in earnest after the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in systematic and wide-ranging efforts to control the open internet. Measures have included:

• Adopting stringent legislation.
• Banning online services that refuse to cooperate with local rules.
• Developing technology to track and influence internet traffic.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Access to YouTube was disrupted previously in a case of deliberate throttling by the authorities. The Kremlin attributed the issue to Google for not properly maintaining its servers in Russia.

This summer, authorities tightened internet access with extensive disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government claimed this was required to prevent drone strikes, but experts contended another step to tighten control over the internet.

Action Against Communication Platforms

Regulators has also moved against popular messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in this year. Furthermore, officials prohibited calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the action by saying the two apps were being used for crime.

Simultaneously, authorities have championed a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called Max. Critics view it as a potential surveillance tool. The app admits it will hand over data with the government upon request, and analysts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

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

This classification requires that platforms establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and provide the FSB with access to communications. Services failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and may be banned.

Seleznev estimated that potentially a large number of Russians had been using FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "expected" and stated that other platforms failing to cooperate with authorities "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Sites Too Affected

In a separate action, the government also said it was banning the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was child protection from inappropriate material. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the number two gaming site in Russia last month, with approximately eight million active users.

While it remains feasible to bypass certain of these blocks by employing VPN services, those are routinely blocked by authorities as well.