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As part of a sustained crackdown to exert greater control over digital platforms, state officials have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Restrictions

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were being used to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud and other crimes against citizens.

Officials said it initiated the block on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, though the announcement was only reported later.

Broader Campaign of Digital Crackdown

These new restrictions follow previous restrictions targeting major platforms like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of bans intensified in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued systematic and wide-ranging initiatives to curtail the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Enacting restrictive laws.
• Banning online services that do not comply with local rules.
• Perfecting technical capabilities to track and influence online traffic.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Access to YouTube was slowed last year in what experts called targeted interference by regulators. Russian officials attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its hardware in Russia.

In recent months, officials tightened connectivity with extensive shutdowns of mobile internet connections. Officials insisted this was necessary to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics contended another step to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

Regulators has also targeted widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. Furthermore, authorities prohibited calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the action by claiming the platforms were being facilitating criminal activities.

At the same time, the state have heavily pushed a so-called "domestic" messenger app called Max. Observers view it as a potential tool for oversight. The service openly declares it will hand over data with the government when asked, and experts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework defines any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation mandates that platforms register with the regulator and provide Russia's security service with the ability to monitor user data. Platforms that fail to do so are in violation and may be banned.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps tens of millions of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the blocking of the service as "expected" and warned that other sites failing to cooperate with authorities "will be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Platforms Too Affected

As another move, the authorities reported it was banning the online game platform Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the number two game platform in Russia in October, with nearly 8 million monthly users.

Although it remains feasible to circumvent some of these blocks by employing VPN services, those are routinely blocked by officials as well.