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In a sustained crackdown to exert greater control over digital platforms, state authorities have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that these services were employed to organize and conduct terrorist acts within the country, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

The regulator stated it enforced the restriction on Snapchat in early October, though the move was only reported later.

Wider Context of Online Restrictions

These new restrictions are part of previous limitations against popular services including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of censorship began in earnest in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in deliberate and wide-ranging efforts to control the internet. Actions have involved:

• Adopting tough new laws.
• Outlawing digital platforms that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Developing technical capabilities to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Other Instances of Restrictions

Service for the YouTube platform was slowed last year in an incident described as targeted interference by officials. Russian officials blamed Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, authorities further restricted online access with broad disruptions of cellular data connections. The government insisted this was necessary to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts contended a further measure to assert dominance over the internet.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Regulators has also acted against widely-used communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in 2024. This year, officials prohibited calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the measure by claiming the two apps were being facilitating crime.

At the same time, the state have championed a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Experts see it as a possible surveillance tool. The service openly declares it will hand over data with officials upon request, and analysts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

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

This designation mandates that such services register with Roskomnadzor and provide state security with access to user accounts. Services failing to comply are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps a large number of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and cautioned that other platforms refusing to comply with authorities "will be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Platforms Too Affected

In a related move, the government reported it was banning Roblox, stating the reason was child protection from illicit content. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia recently, with nearly eight million active users.

While it is still feasible to circumvent some of these blocks by utilizing virtual private network services, such tools are frequently targeted by officials as well.