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In a sustained crackdown to exert greater control over internet access, Russian officials have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that these services were being used to organize and conduct terrorist acts inside Russia, to recruit perpetrators and carry out fraud along with other offenses against citizens.

Officials stated it initiated the block on Snapchat in early October, although the announcement was publicly disclosed more recently.

Wider Context of Internet Control

These latest moves come after similar limitations against major platforms including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of censorship began in earnest following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued systematic and comprehensive initiatives to control the internet. Measures have included:

• Adopting tough new laws.
• Banning online services that fail to comply with local rules.
• Developing technical capabilities to track and influence internet traffic.

Recent Instances of Blocks

Service for the YouTube platform was throttled in the past in what experts called targeted interference by the authorities. Authorities blamed Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, officials limited internet access with broad shutdowns of cellular data connections. The government insisted this was necessary to prevent drone strikes, but critics argued an additional move to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Targeting Communication Apps

Authorities has also acted against popular messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in recently. Furthermore, officials prohibited calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the action by claiming the platforms were being used for criminal activities.

At the same time, the state have actively promoted a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called Max. Observers view it as a potential surveillance tool. The service explicitly states it will share user data with authorities when asked, and analysts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law classifies any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This label obligates that such services register with the regulator and allow Russia's security service with entry to user data. Those failing to comply are non-compliant and can get blocked.

Seleznev noted that potentially tens of millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and warned that further services failing to cooperate with authorities "face blocking – that's obvious."

Gaming Platforms Too Affected

In a related move, the government reported it was restricting Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest gaming site in Russia in October, with approximately 8 million players.

While it remains possible to circumvent some of these restrictions by utilizing VPN services, VPNs themselves are routinely blocked by officials as well.