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

Official Reasons for the Block

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that these services were being used to organize and conduct acts of terrorism on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

Roskomnadzor said it enforced the restriction on Snapchat on October 10, even though the announcement was publicly disclosed on Thursday.

Broader Campaign of Internet Control

These latest moves follow similar blocks against major platforms including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. The campaign of bans began in earnest following the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued calculated and wide-ranging efforts to control the internet. Measures have included:

• Adopting tough new laws.
• Outlawing online services that do not comply with local rules.
• Developing technology to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Other Instances of Restrictions

Service for the YouTube platform was slowed in the past in what experts called targeted interference by the authorities. The Kremlin attributed the issue to Google for failing to maintain its servers in Russia.

In recent months, authorities tightened connectivity with extensive disruptions of mobile internet connections. Officials claimed this was necessary to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics argued an additional move to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Regulators has also targeted widely-used communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in 2024. This year, officials outlawed calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the measure by saying the two apps were being involved in crime.

At the same time, authorities have heavily pushed a so-called "national" communication platform called "Max". Critics see it as a possible tool for oversight. The platform openly declares it will provide user information with authorities upon request, and analysts note it is not equipped with full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations views any platform where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This designation requires that such services have an account with Roskomnadzor and allow state security with entry to communications. Services failing to do so are non-compliant and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out 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 stated that further services refusing to comply with authorities "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Platforms Too Affected

As another move, the authorities also said it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two game platform in Russia in October, with approximately eight million monthly users.

While it remains possible to get around a few of these restrictions by using virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are routinely blocked by officials as well.