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As part of a sustained crackdown to tighten control over online communications, Russian authorities have cut off access to Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that the two apps were utilized to plan and execute terrorist activities on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Officials reported it took action on Snapchat on October 10, although the move was publicly disclosed later.

Broader Context of Online Restrictions

These new restrictions follow comparable blocks targeting key apps like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of bans escalated following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in deliberate and multi-pronged efforts to control the open internet. Measures have included:

• Enacting stringent legislation.
• Outlawing online services that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Developing systems to track and influence internet traffic.

Other Instances of Crackdowns

Service for the YouTube platform was throttled previously in a case of deliberate throttling by regulators. The Kremlin blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its servers in Russia.

In recent months, authorities tightened internet access with widespread shutdowns of cellular data connections. Officials claimed this was required to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics argued an additional move to assert dominance over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Apps

The government has also acted against widely-used messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. Additionally, authorities outlawed calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the ban by saying the services were being used for illegal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have championed a so-called "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Critics regard it as a potential tool for oversight. The platform explicitly states it will hand over data with officials upon request, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework defines any service where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label obligates that platforms establish a presence with the regulator and allow Russia's security service with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps a large number of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the restrictions against the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that further services that do not cooperate with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Platforms Too Targeted

In a separate action, the government reported it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from illicit content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two game platform in Russia recently, with nearly eight million players.

Although it is still feasible to bypass certain of these restrictions by employing virtual private network services, those are routinely blocked by the regulator as well.