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In a sustained campaign to increase oversight over online communications, state officials have blocked access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Block

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that both applications were employed to facilitate and carry out terrorist acts on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud along with other offenses against citizens.

The regulator stated it enforced the restriction targeting Snapchat back on the 10th of October, though the announcement was publicly disclosed on Thursday.

Broader Context of Internet Control

This recent action follow previous limitations against popular services such as Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of bans escalated in the wake of the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued deliberate and comprehensive initiatives to curtail the internet. Measures have included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that refuse to cooperate with local rules.
• Advancing technical capabilities to observe and control digital communications.

Recent Instances of Restrictions

Access to YouTube was slowed previously in what experts called targeted interference by the authorities. Russian officials attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, authorities tightened internet access with widespread disruptions of cellular data connections. Officials insisted this was required to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics contended an additional move to increase control over the internet.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

Authorities has also acted against popular communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in this year. Furthermore, authorities banned calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the ban by stating the services were being involved in criminal activities.

At the same time, authorities have championed a so-called "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Experts regard it as a potential tool for oversight. The platform admits it will share user data with authorities when asked, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

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

This classification obligates that platforms have an account with the regulator and provide Russia's security service with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps a large number of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the service as "expected" and stated that other sites failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – that is clear."

Gaming Platforms Also Affected

In a separate development, the authorities reported it was blocking Roblox, citing child protection from inappropriate material. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular gaming site in Russia last month, with approximately 8 million players.

While it is still possible to bypass certain of these restrictions by utilizing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by officials as well.