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In a continued campaign to increase oversight over online communications, Russian regulators have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were employed to plan and execute acts of terrorism on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses against citizens.

Officials reported it took action targeting Snapchat back on the 10th of October, though the decision was publicly disclosed later.

Broader Campaign of Online Restrictions

These latest moves are part of comparable limitations imposed on popular services including Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of restrictions intensified after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, the government have undertaken systematic and multi-pronged initiatives to curtail the digital space. This has included:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Banning digital platforms that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Perfecting systems to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Access to the YouTube platform was throttled in the past in what experts called deliberate throttling by regulators. Russian officials pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its servers in Russia.

Recently, officials limited internet access with broad shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. Officials claimed this was needed to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics argued a further measure to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Targeting Communication Apps

Regulators has also targeted widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in this year. Additionally, authorities outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the measure by claiming the services were being used for crime.

Simultaneously, authorities have heavily pushed a dubbed "national" messenger app called "Max". Observers view it as a potential surveillance tool. The service openly declares it will share user data with officials when asked, and experts note it lacks end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework classifies any service where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label requires that platforms register with Roskomnadzor and grant the FSB with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to do so are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps tens of millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "expected" and cautioned that other sites refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Sites Also Targeted

As another action, the authorities announced it was blocking Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from inappropriate material. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest gaming site in Russia in October, with approximately 8 million players.

Although it is still feasible to circumvent some of these limitations by employing virtual private network services, such tools are also often blocked by authorities as well.