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

Official Reasons for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were utilized to organize and conduct acts of terrorism on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator said it took action on Snapchat in early October, even though the announcement was only reported more recently.

Wider Campaign of Internet Control

These latest moves are part of comparable restrictions targeting key apps like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of censorship intensified following the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in calculated and multi-pronged strategies to curtail the digital space. Measures have included:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Banning online services that fail to comply with state demands.
• Perfecting systems to track and influence digital communications.

Other Examples of Crackdowns

Service for YouTube was slowed in the past in what experts called deliberate throttling by the authorities. The Kremlin pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its hardware in Russia.

Recently, officials further restricted internet access with broad shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. Officials claimed this was required to counter drone strikes, but analysts saw it as an additional move to assert dominance over the internet.

Action Against Communication Platforms

The government has also acted against widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in recently. Additionally, officials prohibited calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the action by saying the two apps were being used for crime.

Concurrently, the state have championed a dubbed "national" messenger app called "Max". Observers regard it as a possible surveillance tool. The service admits it will provide user information with authorities when asked, and experts note it lacks strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

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

This label requires that such services establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and provide the FSB with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to do so are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev estimated that possibly many millions of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and cautioned that other sites failing to cooperate with authorities "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Entertainment Sites Also Targeted

As another action, the authorities reported it was banning Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from illicit content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the number two gaming site in Russia recently, with close to 8 million monthly users.

Although it is still possible to bypass certain of these restrictions by employing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by authorities as well.