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Amid a ongoing crackdown to tighten control over digital platforms, state authorities have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Block

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that both applications were utilized to plan and execute acts of terrorism within the country, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses targeting Russian citizens.

The regulator said it initiated the block against Snapchat on October 10, although the announcement was publicly disclosed later.

Broader Context of Online Restrictions

These latest moves follow similar limitations imposed on major platforms including Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of restrictions began in earnest following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in calculated and comprehensive initiatives to control the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Adopting stringent legislation.
• Blocking online services that fail to comply with local rules.
• Developing technical capabilities to observe and control digital communications.

Recent Instances of Crackdowns

Service for the YouTube platform was throttled in the past in a case of targeted interference by officials. Authorities pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, officials further restricted online access with broad outages of cellular data connections. The government stated this was required to prevent drone strikes, but critics argued a further measure to increase control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Authorities has also targeted popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in 2024. Furthermore, authorities prohibited calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the measure by saying the two apps were being involved in crime.

Concurrently, authorities have actively promoted a dubbed "national" communication platform called "Max". Observers regard it as a potential monitoring instrument. The platform admits it will hand over data with officials when asked, and experts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law classifies any platform where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label requires that such services establish a presence with the regulator and allow Russia's security service with entry to communications. Services failing to comply are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps a large number of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "expected" and stated that further services that do not cooperate with authorities "are likely to be blocked – that is clear."

Gaming Platforms Also Targeted

As another development, the government announced it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, citing child protection from harmful content. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular game platform in Russia recently, with nearly eight million active users.

While it is still possible to get around a few of these restrictions by using VPN services, such tools are also often blocked by authorities as well.