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As part of a ongoing effort to exert greater control over online communications, Russian regulators have cut off access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that both applications were utilized to plan and execute terrorist activities within the country, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator reported it enforced the restriction on Snapchat in early October, even though the decision was publicly disclosed on Thursday.

Wider Context of Digital Crackdown

These latest moves come after similar restrictions targeting major platforms including Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of restrictions escalated after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in calculated and multi-pronged strategies to rein in the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Blocking websites and platforms that fail to comply with local rules.
• Advancing systems to track and influence internet traffic.

Recent Instances of Blocks

Access to YouTube was slowed last year in a case of intentional slowing by officials. Russian officials attributed the issue to Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, authorities further restricted internet access with widespread shutdowns of cellular data connections. Officials insisted this was needed to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts argued a further measure to increase control over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Authorities has also moved against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in recently. Furthermore, authorities outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the action by saying the services were being used for criminal activities.

At the same time, authorities have heavily pushed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called Max. Observers see it as a possible surveillance tool. The app openly declares it will share user data with the government if demanded, and experts note it is not equipped with end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

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

This label obligates that platforms have an account with Roskomnadzor and grant state security with access to communications. Platforms that fail to meet these demands are breaking the law and may be banned.

Seleznev noted that potentially tens of millions of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the service as "predictable" and warned that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Sites Too Targeted

In a related action, the authorities announced it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was safeguarding minors from illicit content. Per data from research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular gaming site in Russia recently, with nearly eight million monthly users.

While it is still possible to get around a few of these restrictions by employing virtual private network services, such tools are frequently targeted by officials as well.