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As part of a sustained effort to exert greater control over internet access, state regulators have cut off access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Ban

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were being used to facilitate and carry out terrorist activities within the country, for recruiting individuals and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses targeting Russian citizens.

Officials stated it initiated the block against Snapchat in early October, although the decision was only made public more recently.

Broader Campaign of Online Restrictions

These latest moves are part of similar limitations against key apps like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of bans escalated in the wake of the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in deliberate and multi-pronged initiatives to rein in the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Adopting stringent legislation.
• Banning digital platforms that refuse to cooperate with Russian regulations.
• Advancing systems to track and influence online traffic.

Other Instances of Crackdowns

Access to the YouTube platform was throttled last year in an incident described as targeted interference by regulators. The Kremlin pointed the finger at Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, authorities limited internet access with extensive outages of mobile internet connections. Officials insisted this was needed to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts contended a further measure to tighten control over the internet.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

Regulators has also targeted widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in this year. Additionally, authorities outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the action by saying the services were being involved in illegal activities.

At the same time, the state have championed a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called Max. Critics regard it as a possible surveillance tool. The platform openly declares it will provide user information with authorities if demanded, and experts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law defines any platform where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification mandates that platforms register with Roskomnadzor and provide the FSB with access to communications. Those failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps tens of millions of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and cautioned that other platforms failing to cooperate with authorities "are likely to be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Platforms Also Affected

In a separate development, the authorities reported it was restricting Roblox, stating the reason was protecting children from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular game platform in Russia recently, with close to 8 million monthly users.

Although it is still possible to circumvent some of these blocks by utilizing virtual private network services, such tools are frequently targeted by the regulator as well.