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As part of a continued crackdown to tighten control over online communications, state officials have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that these services were employed to organize and conduct acts of terrorism inside Russia, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

Officials reported it enforced the restriction on Snapchat in early October, although the decision was only made public later.

Broader Context of Digital Crackdown

This recent action come after similar restrictions against key apps such as Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of censorship began in earnest after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in calculated and comprehensive strategies to rein in the internet. Actions have involved:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Blocking digital platforms that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing systems to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Other Instances of Restrictions

Access to the YouTube platform was throttled last year in what experts called deliberate throttling by officials. Russian officials blamed YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, authorities tightened connectivity with widespread shutdowns of mobile internet connections. Officials stated this was needed to thwart drone strikes, but experts contended a further measure to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Communication Apps

The government has also targeted widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in recently. Additionally, authorities banned calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the ban by saying the two apps were being facilitating crime.

Simultaneously, authorities have championed a so-called "domestic" communication platform called Max. Experts view it as a possible monitoring instrument. The app admits it will share user data with authorities if demanded, and analysts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law defines any platform where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This designation obligates that such services establish a presence with the regulator and grant Russia's security service with entry to user data. Those failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that possibly tens of millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and cautioned that other platforms that do not cooperate with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Platforms Also Targeted

As another action, the authorities announced it was restricting Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest game platform in Russia last month, with nearly eight million monthly users.

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