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Amid a continued effort to exert greater control over internet access, state authorities have blocked access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Ban

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that these services were utilized to facilitate and carry out terrorist activities on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses against citizens.

Roskomnadzor stated it took action against Snapchat in early October, although the announcement was only reported later.

Wider Campaign of Online Restrictions

This recent action follow similar limitations targeting major platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of bans intensified after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, authorities have pursued systematic and multi-pronged initiatives to rein in the internet. Actions have involved:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Blocking online services that refuse to cooperate with state demands.
• Developing technical capabilities to track and influence online traffic.

Recent Examples of Crackdowns

Access to YouTube was disrupted last year in an incident described as targeted interference by regulators. The Kremlin blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its hardware in Russia.

In recent months, officials limited internet access with broad outages of cellphone internet connections. Officials claimed this was required to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts argued an additional move to increase control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Regulators has also moved against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in this year. Additionally, authorities outlawed calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the ban by claiming the platforms were being facilitating criminal activities.

At the same time, the state have heavily pushed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Observers view it as a potential monitoring instrument. The app openly declares it will provide user information with officials upon request, and analysts note it lacks end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

According to lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations views any service where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label mandates that platforms register with the regulator and grant the FSB with access to user accounts. Those failing to do so are in violation and may be banned.

Seleznev noted that potentially tens of millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and warned that other sites refusing to comply with authorities "will be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Sites Too Targeted

As another move, the government announced it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from harmful content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest gaming site in Russia recently, with approximately 8 million active users.

While it remains possible to get around a few of these blocks by employing VPN services, such tools are also often blocked by officials as well.