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As part of a continued crackdown to increase oversight over internet access, state authorities have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor claimed that both applications were being used to organize and conduct terrorist acts on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and carry out fraud along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor reported it took action against Snapchat back on the 10th of October, though the move was only made public on Thursday.

Wider Context of Internet Control

These new restrictions follow previous blocks against key apps such as Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of restrictions escalated in the wake of the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, authorities have pursued systematic and comprehensive efforts to rein in the internet. Measures have included:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Blocking websites and platforms that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Developing systems to observe and control internet traffic.

Recent Examples of Crackdowns

Access to the YouTube platform was slowed last year in what experts called deliberate throttling by officials. The Kremlin blamed Google for not properly maintaining its servers in Russia.

Recently, officials tightened online access with widespread disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government stated this was required to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts contended a further measure to increase control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Apps

Regulators has also moved against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in this year. Furthermore, officials outlawed calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the ban by saying the two apps were being used for crime.

At the same time, the state have heavily pushed a dubbed "national" messenger app called Max. Critics view it as a possible monitoring instrument. The platform explicitly states it will provide user information with authorities if demanded, and experts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

According to cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations defines any service where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation obligates that platforms establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and allow state security with entry to user data. Those failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev estimated that potentially tens of millions of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the service as "expected" and stated that other platforms refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – that is clear."

Gaming Platforms Also Targeted

In a separate action, the government also said it was restricting Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from harmful content. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the number two game platform in Russia last month, with close to 8 million monthly users.

Although it is still feasible to bypass certain of these blocks by utilizing VPN services, those are frequently targeted by authorities as well.