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In a ongoing crackdown to increase oversight over internet access, state regulators have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that these services were being used to plan and execute terrorist acts within the country, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

The regulator stated it initiated the block on Snapchat on October 10, though the move was only reported later.

Wider Context of Digital Crackdown

These new restrictions come after comparable limitations imposed on popular services like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of bans intensified after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, authorities have undertaken systematic and wide-ranging efforts to rein in the open internet. Measures have included:

• Adopting stringent legislation.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that refuse to cooperate with Russian regulations.
• Advancing technical capabilities to observe and control online traffic.

Other Examples of Blocks

Service for YouTube was disrupted in the past in a case of deliberate throttling by regulators. Russian officials pointed the finger at Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, authorities limited connectivity with extensive shutdowns of cellular data connections. Officials stated this was necessary to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts saw it as an additional move to increase control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Communication Apps

The government has also moved against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. Furthermore, authorities outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the action by claiming the two apps were being facilitating crime.

Concurrently, authorities have actively promoted a so-called "domestic" communication platform called Max. Experts view it as a potential surveillance tool. The platform explicitly states it will provide user information with officials upon request, and analysts note it lacks full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

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

This classification mandates that such services register with Roskomnadzor and provide the FSB with access to user data. Platforms that fail to comply are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev noted that possibly a large number of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the service as "predictable" and cautioned that other sites failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Sites Too Targeted

In a related development, the authorities reported it was banning Roblox, stating the reason was protecting children from illicit content. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two gaming site in Russia last month, with nearly 8 million monthly users.

While it remains possible to bypass certain of these restrictions by utilizing VPN services, such tools are frequently targeted by authorities as well.