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In a continued campaign to exert greater control over internet access, state officials have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Ban

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were being used to facilitate and carry out terrorist activities within the country, to enlist people and commit fraud and other crimes against citizens.

Roskomnadzor reported it initiated the block on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the announcement was only reported later.

Broader Campaign of Online Restrictions

These latest moves are part of previous blocks imposed on major platforms like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of censorship intensified following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in calculated and multi-pronged strategies to control the digital space. Measures have included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Banning websites and platforms that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Developing technology to track and influence digital communications.

Other Instances of Blocks

Access to YouTube was slowed in the past in what experts called targeted interference by regulators. Authorities pointed the finger at Google for not properly maintaining its servers in Russia.

In recent months, authorities further restricted internet access with broad disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government insisted this was necessary to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts saw it as an additional move to increase control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Communication Apps

Authorities has also acted against popular messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in recently. Furthermore, authorities banned voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the ban by saying the services were being involved in crime.

Simultaneously, authorities have championed a so-called "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Experts regard it as a possible surveillance tool. The app explicitly states it will share user data with the government upon request, and analysts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law classifies any service where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification obligates that platforms have an account with the regulator and grant state security with entry to user data. Platforms that fail to comply are in violation and may be banned.

Seleznev noted that perhaps tens of millions of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that other sites refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Sites Also Targeted

In a separate action, the government announced it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from harmful content. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular gaming site in Russia in October, with close to eight million monthly users.

While it remains feasible to circumvent some of these blocks by utilizing virtual private network services, those are routinely blocked by authorities as well.