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In a ongoing effort to exert greater control over internet access, state officials have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were employed to plan and execute terrorist activities within the country, for recruiting individuals and commit fraud and other crimes aimed at the populace.

Officials stated it initiated the block on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the decision was publicly disclosed later.

Broader Context of Digital Crackdown

This recent action come after previous restrictions against major platforms including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of bans escalated following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in systematic and multi-pronged initiatives to rein in the digital space. Measures have included:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Outlawing online services that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing technology to observe and control internet traffic.

Other Instances of Crackdowns

Service for YouTube was slowed in the past in what experts called deliberate throttling by officials. Russian officials blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its hardware in Russia.

This summer, officials further restricted online access with widespread shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. Officials stated this was needed to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics contended a further measure to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

Authorities has also targeted popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in recently. Furthermore, officials banned voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the measure by stating the platforms were being involved in illegal activities.

Concurrently, authorities have actively promoted a so-called "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Experts view it as a potential tool for oversight. The app openly declares it will share user data with officials upon request, and analysts note it lacks end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework views any platform where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This designation obligates that such services register with the regulator and provide the FSB with the ability to monitor communications. Platforms that fail to comply are in violation and may be banned.

Seleznev estimated that potentially many millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and cautioned that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – that is clear."

Gaming Platforms Too Affected

As another action, the government also said it was blocking Roblox, citing child protection from illicit content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia last month, with nearly eight million players.

While it is still feasible to circumvent some of these restrictions by utilizing VPN services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by authorities as well.