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In a ongoing campaign to increase oversight over internet access, Russian authorities have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on Apple's video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Block

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that these services were utilized to organize and conduct terrorist activities on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

Officials stated it initiated the block against Snapchat in early October, even though the move was only reported more recently.

Broader Context of Online Restrictions

These new restrictions are part of comparable restrictions against major platforms including YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of censorship escalated after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued systematic and comprehensive initiatives to control the internet. This has included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Outlawing online services that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing systems to monitor and manipulate digital communications.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Service for the YouTube platform was throttled previously in a case of targeted interference by officials. Authorities blamed Google for failing to maintain its hardware in Russia.

This summer, authorities tightened connectivity with extensive disruptions of cellular data connections. Officials insisted this was needed to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics argued a further measure to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Platforms

Regulators has also acted against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in recently. Furthermore, authorities outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the measure by saying the platforms were being used for criminal activities.

Concurrently, the state have actively promoted a dubbed "national" messenger app called Max. Critics see it as a possible tool for oversight. The service explicitly states it will provide user information with authorities when asked, and analysts note it is not equipped with full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law views any service where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This designation mandates that such services have an account with the regulator and provide the FSB with entry to communications. Those failing to do so are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev estimated that possibly a large number of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and cautioned that other platforms that do not cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Sites Too Affected

In a related move, the authorities announced it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular game platform in Russia recently, with nearly eight million monthly users.

Although it is still possible to circumvent some of these blocks by employing VPN services, such tools are frequently targeted by authorities as well.