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As part of a continued crackdown to increase oversight over internet access, Russian regulators have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that these services were being used to organize and conduct terrorist acts within the country, to enlist people and carry out fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

The regulator said it initiated the block on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the announcement was only made public more recently.

Broader Campaign of Internet Control

These new restrictions come after previous restrictions against major platforms including Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of censorship began in earnest in the wake of the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, authorities have pursued systematic and wide-ranging efforts to control the internet. Actions have involved:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Banning websites and platforms that refuse to cooperate with state demands.
• Advancing technical capabilities to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Recent Instances of Crackdowns

Service for YouTube was throttled last year in what experts called deliberate throttling by the authorities. Authorities blamed Google for not properly maintaining its hardware in Russia.

This summer, authorities further restricted internet access with widespread disruptions of cellphone internet connections. The government stated this was needed to prevent drone strikes, but experts argued a further measure to increase control over the internet.

Action Against Communication Platforms

Authorities has also targeted widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in 2024. Additionally, officials banned calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the measure by claiming the platforms were being used for crime.

Concurrently, the state have championed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Observers regard it as a possible tool for oversight. The service openly declares it will provide user information with officials when asked, and analysts note it does not use full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations views any service where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This classification mandates that such services have an account with the regulator and grant the FSB with entry to user accounts. Services failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that potentially tens of millions of Russians had been using FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and stated that other platforms refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – it is inevitable."

Gaming Platforms Too Targeted

As another move, the authorities reported it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from illicit content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia in October, with nearly eight million active users.

Although it remains possible to circumvent some of these blocks by employing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are frequently targeted by the regulator as well.