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In a ongoing crackdown to increase oversight over online communications, state officials have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that both applications were employed to plan and execute acts of terrorism inside Russia, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud as well as various crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Roskomnadzor reported it took action against Snapchat back on the 10th of October, although the announcement was publicly disclosed more recently.

Wider Context of Online Restrictions

This recent action are part of comparable blocks targeting major platforms such as Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of censorship escalated following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, the government have pursued systematic and multi-pronged efforts to curtail the internet. Measures have included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing systems to track and influence online traffic.

Other Examples of Blocks

Service for YouTube was disrupted in the past in an incident described as targeted interference by regulators. Russian officials blamed Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, authorities limited online access with extensive shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. The government insisted this was needed to thwart drone strikes, but critics argued a further measure to assert dominance over the internet.

Action Against Communication Apps

Regulators has also moved against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in recently. Additionally, officials prohibited voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the ban by claiming the two apps were being used for illegal activities.

At the same time, the state have championed a so-called "national" communication platform called Max. Experts view it as a potential tool for oversight. The service openly declares it will provide user information with the government upon request, and analysts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework views any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This label requires that such services register with Roskomnadzor and provide state security with the ability to monitor communications. Those failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and may be banned.

Seleznev noted that possibly many millions of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and cautioned that further services refusing to comply with authorities "face blocking – that is clear."

Entertainment Platforms Too Targeted

As another action, the government reported it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from illicit content. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular game platform in Russia last month, with close to eight million active users.

While it remains possible to bypass certain of these limitations by utilizing virtual private network services, such tools are also often blocked by officials as well.