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Amid a continued crackdown to exert greater control over internet access, state officials have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that the two apps were utilized to facilitate and carry out terrorist acts on Russian soil, to enlist people and commit fraud along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor stated it initiated the block on Snapchat in early October, although the decision was only made public more recently.

Broader Campaign of Online Restrictions

These latest moves come after previous limitations against key apps including YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of censorship intensified following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken systematic and multi-pronged efforts to rein in the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Blocking websites and platforms that fail to comply with local rules.
• Developing technical capabilities to monitor and manipulate digital communications.

Other Instances of Blocks

Access to YouTube was disrupted last year in a case of intentional slowing by regulators. Authorities blamed Google for not properly maintaining its servers in Russia.

In recent months, authorities further restricted internet access with extensive shutdowns of mobile internet connections. Officials claimed this was needed to thwart drone strikes, but critics contended a further measure to assert dominance over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

Authorities has also targeted widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in 2024. Additionally, officials banned calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the measure by claiming the platforms were being involved in criminal activities.

At the same time, the state have heavily pushed a so-called "national" messenger app called "Max". Experts view it as a potential monitoring instrument. The platform admits it will share user data with officials upon request, and experts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework views any platform where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This classification requires that platforms register with Roskomnadzor and provide Russia's security service with the ability to monitor user accounts. Services failing to do so are in violation and may be banned.

Seleznev estimated that possibly tens of millions of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He called the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and cautioned that other sites failing to cooperate with authorities "will be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Sites Also Targeted

In a separate move, the government announced it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular game platform in Russia last month, with close to eight million monthly users.

Although it is still feasible to circumvent some of these blocks by utilizing VPN services, VPNs themselves are frequently targeted by the regulator as well.