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Amid a ongoing crackdown to tighten control over internet access, state authorities have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that the two apps were utilized to organize and conduct acts of terrorism within the country, to recruit perpetrators and carry out fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

The regulator said it took action targeting Snapchat back on the 10th of October, though the decision was only reported later.

Broader Campaign of Digital Crackdown

These new restrictions are part of comparable limitations imposed on popular services including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of restrictions intensified in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, authorities have pursued systematic and multi-pronged initiatives to control the internet. This has included:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Banning online services that do not comply with local rules.
• Developing systems to observe and control internet traffic.

Other Instances of Crackdowns

Service for the YouTube platform was throttled previously in an incident described as deliberate throttling by officials. Russian officials blamed Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, authorities limited online access with extensive disruptions of cellphone internet connections. Officials insisted this was needed to counter drone strikes, but experts saw it as a further measure to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

Regulators has also targeted popular messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in recently. Furthermore, authorities prohibited calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the measure by saying the services were being used for criminal activities.

At the same time, authorities have championed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Experts view it as a potential surveillance tool. The platform openly declares it will hand over data with authorities upon request, and experts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

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

This designation mandates that platforms register with Roskomnadzor and grant the FSB with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and face blocking.

Seleznev estimated that potentially many millions of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and cautioned that further services refusing to comply with authorities "are likely to be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Platforms Also Affected

In a related action, the authorities reported it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, citing child protection from illicit content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia last month, with close to 8 million monthly users.

While it remains feasible to get around a few of these limitations by using VPN services, VPNs themselves are routinely blocked by authorities as well.