🔗 Share this article

As part of a ongoing campaign to exert greater control over online communications, Russian authorities have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were being used to facilitate and carry out terrorist acts within the country, to recruit perpetrators and carry out fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

Officials stated it enforced the restriction against Snapchat in early October, even though the announcement was only made public on Thursday.

Broader Campaign of Online Restrictions

This recent action follow similar restrictions targeting key apps such as Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of bans began in earnest after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in systematic and wide-ranging initiatives to rein in the internet. Measures have included:

• Adopting tough new laws.
• Outlawing online services that fail to comply with local rules.
• Advancing technical capabilities to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Recent Examples of Crackdowns

Access to YouTube was throttled previously in an incident described as deliberate throttling by regulators. The Kremlin pointed the finger at Google for failing to maintain its hardware in Russia.

Recently, officials further restricted internet access with extensive disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government stated this was needed to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts saw it as another step to increase control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

Authorities has also acted against widely-used messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. Additionally, officials banned calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the measure by saying the two apps were being used for illegal activities.

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

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework defines any service where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This designation obligates that platforms have an account with the regulator and allow Russia's security service with the ability to monitor communications. Services failing to do so are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev estimated that potentially a large number of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the service as "predictable" and warned that other sites refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Platforms Also Targeted

In a related move, the authorities reported it was blocking Roblox, citing child protection from illicit content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two game platform in Russia recently, with approximately 8 million monthly users.

Although it is still possible to circumvent some of these restrictions by using VPN services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by authorities as well.