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In a ongoing crackdown to increase oversight over internet access, state regulators have blocked access to Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Ban

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were employed to plan and execute acts of terrorism on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator stated it enforced the restriction targeting Snapchat on October 10, even though the move was only reported on Thursday.

Broader Context of Internet Control

These latest moves follow similar restrictions imposed on key apps including YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of bans escalated following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, authorities have pursued systematic and comprehensive strategies to control the open internet. Measures have included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Banning online services that refuse to cooperate with Russian regulations.
• Developing systems to monitor and manipulate internet traffic.

Other Instances of Blocks

Access to the YouTube platform was throttled last year in an incident described as deliberate throttling by regulators. Russian officials blamed Google for failing to maintain its hardware in Russia.

In recent months, officials tightened connectivity with broad disruptions of mobile internet connections. Officials claimed this was needed to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts argued a further measure to tighten control over the internet.

Action Against Messaging Apps

Authorities has also moved against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. This year, authorities outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the measure by stating the two apps were being facilitating illegal activities.

At the same time, authorities have championed a dubbed "national" messenger app called "Max". Observers view it as a possible monitoring instrument. The app openly declares it will share user data with authorities upon request, and analysts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert 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 classification mandates that such services register with the regulator and provide the FSB with entry to user accounts. Platforms that fail to do so are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that potentially many millions of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the blocking of the Apple service as "expected" and cautioned that other platforms failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – that's obvious."

Entertainment Platforms Too Affected

In a related move, the government reported it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from illicit content. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia recently, with approximately eight million monthly users.

Although it remains feasible to circumvent some of these limitations by using virtual private network services, those are frequently targeted by authorities as well.