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In a ongoing crackdown to exert greater control over online communications, state authorities have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Block

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were employed to organize and conduct terrorist activities on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and commit fraud and other crimes aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor said it enforced the restriction on Snapchat on October 10, although the move was only reported later.

Wider Context of Digital Crackdown

This recent action are part of previous blocks imposed on major platforms including Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. The campaign of censorship intensified after the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken systematic and wide-ranging initiatives to control the digital space. This has included:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Blocking digital platforms that refuse to cooperate with Russian regulations.
• Developing systems to monitor and manipulate digital communications.

Other Instances of Crackdowns

Access to the YouTube platform was slowed last year in an incident described as intentional slowing by the authorities. Russian officials pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its servers in Russia.

In recent months, authorities limited connectivity with broad disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government stated this was necessary to counter drone strikes, but experts argued another step to assert dominance over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

Authorities has also moved against widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in recently. Furthermore, authorities outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the action by claiming the services were being involved in criminal activities.

Simultaneously, the state have championed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Critics regard it as a potential monitoring instrument. The app openly declares it will provide user information with officials if demanded, and analysts note it lacks end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

According to cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework views any service where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label obligates that such services establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and allow Russia's security service with access to user data. Those failing to do so are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that potentially a large number of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and warned that other sites refusing to comply with authorities "face blocking – that is clear."

Gaming Platforms Too Targeted

In a related action, the government reported it was banning Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from illicit content. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest gaming site in Russia in October, with nearly eight million active users.

Although it remains feasible to get around a few of these blocks by employing VPN services, those are also often blocked by authorities as well.