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In a continued campaign to increase oversight over internet access, state regulators have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor claimed that these services were employed to facilitate and carry out terrorist activities within the country, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities as well as various crimes against citizens.

Officials said it took action against Snapchat on October 10, although the decision was only reported later.

Wider Context of Internet Control

These new restrictions are part of previous restrictions targeting popular services like YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of bans began in earnest in the wake of the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in calculated and wide-ranging efforts to rein in the open internet. This has included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Blocking websites and platforms that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Perfecting technology to monitor and manipulate digital communications.

Other Examples of Restrictions

Access to YouTube was slowed in the past in a case of targeted interference by the authorities. Authorities blamed YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its hardware in Russia.

In recent months, officials limited internet access with extensive shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. Officials claimed this was required to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics saw it as a further measure to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Platforms

The government has also moved against widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in recently. Additionally, authorities outlawed voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the measure by stating the platforms were being used for crime.

At the same time, authorities have actively promoted a so-called "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Experts see it as a possible surveillance tool. The service openly declares it will share user data with the government if demanded, and analysts note it does not use strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law classifies any service where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This classification obligates that platforms register with the regulator and provide the FSB with entry to communications. Platforms that fail to meet these demands are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that potentially tens of millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the service as "predictable" and warned that other platforms failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – that's obvious."

Entertainment Platforms Too Targeted

In a related action, the government announced it was banning the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was protecting children from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest gaming site in Russia recently, with nearly eight million monthly users.

Although it is still feasible to get around a few of these limitations by using VPN services, such tools are frequently targeted by authorities as well.