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In a ongoing campaign to tighten control over digital platforms, state officials have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Ban

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that both applications were being used to organize and conduct terrorist activities inside Russia, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator stated it initiated the block targeting Snapchat in early October, although the decision was only reported more recently.

Wider Campaign of Internet Control

These latest moves are part of similar blocks against key apps such as YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of restrictions intensified following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, authorities have pursued systematic and comprehensive efforts to rein in the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Adopting tough new laws.
• Banning online services that refuse to cooperate with state demands.
• Developing technology to track and influence online traffic.

Other Instances of Crackdowns

Access to YouTube was disrupted in the past in what experts called intentional slowing by regulators. Authorities blamed YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, authorities tightened internet access with extensive disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government stated this was required to prevent drone strikes, but experts saw it as another step to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

Regulators has also moved against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. Furthermore, officials prohibited voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the action by claiming the two apps were being used for crime.

Concurrently, the state have heavily pushed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Critics regard it as a possible monitoring instrument. The app explicitly states it will hand over data with authorities upon request, and analysts note it is not equipped with full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations views any platform where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification mandates that platforms have an account with the regulator and allow state security with the ability to monitor user data. Services failing to meet these demands are in violation and may be banned.

Seleznev noted that possibly tens of millions of Russians had been using FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the restrictions against the service as "expected" and warned that other platforms failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – that's obvious."

Entertainment Sites Also Affected

As another move, the authorities also said it was restricting Roblox, stating the reason was safeguarding minors from harmful content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the number two gaming site in Russia in October, with close to 8 million active users.

While it is still feasible to circumvent some of these limitations by employing virtual private network services, those are frequently targeted by the regulator as well.