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In a sustained campaign to exert greater control over digital platforms, state authorities have cut off access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Block

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were utilized to plan and execute terrorist activities inside Russia, to enlist people and commit fraud and other crimes against citizens.

Roskomnadzor stated it enforced the restriction on Snapchat on October 10, although the move was only made public more recently.

Wider Context of Digital Crackdown

These latest moves follow similar blocks imposed on key apps including Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of censorship began in earnest in the wake of the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in systematic and comprehensive strategies to control the internet. Actions have involved:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing technology to observe and control internet traffic.

Other Examples of Crackdowns

Service for YouTube was slowed last year in what experts called deliberate throttling by the authorities. The Kremlin pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its servers in Russia.

In recent months, authorities limited internet access with broad shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. The government claimed this was necessary to thwart drone strikes, but analysts argued another step to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Authorities has also targeted widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in 2024. Furthermore, officials banned voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the ban by saying the two apps were being used for crime.

Concurrently, the state have heavily pushed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Observers view it as a possible monitoring instrument. The service openly declares it will provide user information with authorities if demanded, and analysts note it does not use end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

According to cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework views any platform where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This classification obligates that platforms establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and allow state security with entry to user data. Platforms that fail to comply are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps a large number of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that further services that do not cooperate with authorities "face blocking – that is clear."

Gaming Platforms Also Targeted

In a separate move, the government announced it was banning Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from illicit content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular game platform in Russia recently, with approximately 8 million players.

While it is still possible to bypass certain of these blocks by using VPN services, such tools are also often blocked by officials as well.