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As part of a continued effort to increase oversight over online communications, Russian officials have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Ban

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that the two apps were utilized to plan and execute terrorist acts within the country, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

Roskomnadzor stated it took action on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, although the move was only reported more recently.

Broader Campaign of Online Restrictions

This recent action come after similar blocks targeting key apps such as 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 undertaken deliberate and wide-ranging efforts to rein in the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Enacting restrictive laws.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that refuse to cooperate with state demands.
• Advancing technical capabilities to observe and control internet traffic.

Other Instances of Crackdowns

Service for YouTube was slowed last year in a case of targeted interference by regulators. Russian officials attributed the issue to Google for not properly maintaining its hardware in Russia.

This summer, officials limited connectivity with widespread disruptions of cellphone internet connections. The government claimed this was necessary to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts argued a further measure to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Apps

Regulators has also acted against widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in 2024. This year, authorities banned voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the ban by saying the two apps were being involved in illegal activities.

Concurrently, the state have championed a dubbed "national" messenger app called "Max". Critics view it as a potential tool for oversight. The app openly declares it will share user data with officials when asked, and experts note it is not equipped with end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Commentary

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations views any platform where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This designation requires that such services register with Roskomnadzor and grant Russia's security service with entry to communications. Platforms that fail to comply are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev estimated that possibly a large number of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the service as "predictable" and stated that further services that do not cooperate with authorities "face blocking – that is clear."

Gaming Sites Too Targeted

In a separate development, the government also said it was banning the online game platform Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two gaming site in Russia recently, with close to 8 million players.

Although it is still possible to get around a few of these restrictions by utilizing virtual private network services, such tools are routinely blocked by officials as well.