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As part of a ongoing crackdown to exert greater control over online communications, Russian authorities have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Ban

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were employed to plan and execute acts of terrorism within the country, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor said it took action on Snapchat on October 10, although the move was only made public more recently.

Wider Campaign of Online Restrictions

This recent action are part of similar limitations targeting major platforms including YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of bans escalated in the wake of the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken calculated and multi-pronged strategies to curtail the internet. This has included:

• Adopting stringent legislation.
• Blocking websites and platforms that refuse to cooperate with state demands.
• Perfecting technical capabilities to monitor and manipulate digital communications.

Recent Examples of Blocks

Access to YouTube was throttled in the past in an incident described as intentional slowing by the authorities. The Kremlin blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its servers in Russia.

In recent months, authorities further restricted online access with broad outages of mobile internet connections. Officials stated this was required to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts contended another step to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

Authorities has also moved against popular messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in 2024. Furthermore, authorities banned voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the measure by saying the platforms were being facilitating crime.

At the same time, authorities have championed a so-called "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Observers see it as a potential surveillance tool. The platform explicitly states it will provide user information with the government if demanded, and analysts note it does not use full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

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

This designation requires that platforms establish a presence with the regulator and allow Russia's security service with entry to user accounts. Services failing to comply are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev noted that potentially tens of millions of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – that is clear."

Entertainment Sites Too Targeted

In a related action, the authorities announced it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from inappropriate material. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two game platform in Russia in October, with close to 8 million monthly users.

While it is still feasible to bypass certain of these restrictions by employing VPN services, those are frequently targeted by the regulator as well.