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As part of a sustained effort to increase oversight over digital platforms, Russian regulators have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that these services were utilized to organize and conduct acts of terrorism on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor stated it enforced the restriction targeting Snapchat back on the 10th of October, though the announcement was only reported on Thursday.

Wider Context of Internet Control

This recent action come after previous blocks against key apps like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of censorship escalated after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, the government have undertaken systematic and wide-ranging efforts to rein in the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Banning digital platforms that do not comply with state demands.
• Developing technical capabilities to track and influence internet traffic.

Recent Instances of Restrictions

Access to the YouTube platform was disrupted in the past in an incident described as intentional slowing by officials. The Kremlin blamed YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, officials limited internet access with broad outages of cellular data connections. Officials claimed this was needed to counter drone strikes, but analysts saw it as another step to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Apps

Authorities has also acted against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in this year. This year, officials outlawed voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the ban by claiming the two apps were being facilitating illegal activities.

At the same time, authorities have championed a dubbed "national" communication platform called "Max". Observers regard it as a potential monitoring instrument. The platform explicitly states it will hand over data with the government if demanded, and analysts note it does not use strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

According to lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations classifies any platform where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This label obligates that platforms establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and provide the FSB with access to user accounts. Those failing to comply are in violation and may be banned.

Seleznev pointed out that potentially tens of millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He called the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and cautioned that other sites failing to cooperate with authorities "will be blocked – that is clear."

Gaming Platforms Too Affected

As another move, the authorities also said it was blocking Roblox, citing protecting children from harmful content. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest gaming site in Russia in October, with close to 8 million monthly users.

While it remains feasible to bypass certain of these blocks by using VPN services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by the regulator as well.