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Amid a continued effort to increase oversight over online communications, state authorities have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Ban

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that both applications were being used to plan and execute terrorist acts on Russian soil, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

The regulator reported it enforced the restriction on Snapchat on October 10, although the announcement was only made public on Thursday.

Wider Context of Internet Control

This recent action follow previous blocks targeting major platforms such as YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of bans escalated after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, authorities have undertaken systematic and comprehensive initiatives to control the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Banning digital platforms that do not comply with local rules.
• Advancing systems to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Recent Examples of Blocks

Access to YouTube was disrupted last year in what experts called intentional slowing by regulators. Russian officials blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its servers in Russia.

In recent months, officials further restricted internet access with broad outages of cellular data connections. Officials insisted this was required to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts saw it as another step to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

The government has also moved against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in this year. This year, officials outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the measure by stating the platforms were being used for criminal activities.

At the same time, the state have heavily pushed a so-called "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Experts view it as a possible surveillance tool. The service explicitly states it will hand over data with authorities when asked, and analysts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law views any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This classification mandates that such services establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and allow Russia's security service with entry to user accounts. Those failing to comply are in violation and face blocking.

Seleznev noted that perhaps a large number of Russians had been using FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "predictable" and stated that other sites failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Platforms Also Affected

As another development, the authorities announced it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was child protection from harmful content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest gaming site in Russia in October, with close to 8 million monthly users.

While it is still feasible to get around a few of these restrictions by utilizing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are frequently targeted by authorities as well.