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As part of a sustained campaign to increase oversight over digital platforms, state authorities have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that the two apps were utilized to plan and execute acts of terrorism on Russian soil, to enlist people and commit fraud and other crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator said it initiated the block on Snapchat in early October, although the move was only reported later.

Wider Campaign of Online Restrictions

These latest moves come after comparable blocks imposed on key apps such as YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of censorship began in earnest after the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in calculated and multi-pronged strategies to rein in the digital space. Measures have included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Banning websites and platforms that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Perfecting systems to monitor and manipulate internet traffic.

Other Examples of Crackdowns

Access to YouTube was throttled last year in what experts called intentional slowing by the authorities. The Kremlin pointed the finger at Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, authorities tightened connectivity with broad outages of mobile internet connections. The government insisted this was needed to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics saw it as a further measure to increase control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

The government has also targeted popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in this year. Furthermore, authorities prohibited calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the measure by saying the services were being involved in criminal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have actively promoted a so-called "national" communication platform called "Max". Observers view it as a possible tool for oversight. The platform openly declares it will share user data with the government if demanded, and analysts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework defines any platform where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification requires that such services have an account with the regulator and provide the FSB with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that potentially a large number of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and warned that other platforms refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – that is clear."

Gaming Platforms Too Affected

As another development, the government reported it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was child protection from harmful content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular game platform in Russia recently, with close to eight million players.

Although it is still feasible to get around a few of these blocks by using virtual private network services, such tools are also often blocked by the regulator as well.