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As part of a ongoing crackdown to increase oversight over internet access, state regulators have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Ban

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor claimed that the two apps were being used to organize and conduct terrorist activities on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and carry out fraud along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

Officials reported it took action targeting Snapchat in early October, although the announcement was publicly disclosed on Thursday.

Broader Campaign of Online Restrictions

These latest moves follow comparable blocks imposed on major platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of bans escalated following the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in calculated and multi-pronged efforts to curtail the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Passing stringent legislation.
• Outlawing online services that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Developing systems to track and influence digital communications.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Access to the YouTube platform was disrupted in the past in what experts called targeted interference by regulators. The Kremlin blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, authorities limited online access with broad disruptions of mobile internet connections. Officials claimed this was necessary to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts contended an additional move to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Communication Platforms

The government has also targeted widely-used communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in 2024. Furthermore, officials outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the measure by saying the platforms were being involved in crime.

At the same time, the state have actively promoted a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Experts regard it as a potential monitoring instrument. The service explicitly states it will hand over data with officials upon request, and analysts note it is not equipped with end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Analysis

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law defines any service where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification obligates that such services establish a presence with the regulator and allow state security with entry to user accounts. Those failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev estimated that possibly a large number of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He called the restrictions against the service as "expected" and warned that other platforms failing to cooperate with authorities "face blocking – it is inevitable."

Gaming Sites Also Targeted

As another move, the government reported it was banning the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. Per data from research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia in October, with nearly eight million active users.

Although it is still feasible to circumvent some of these limitations by utilizing VPN services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by officials as well.