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In a ongoing campaign to tighten control over digital platforms, state officials have restricted access to Snapchat and placed curbs on Apple's FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that the two apps were employed to plan and execute terrorist acts inside Russia, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities as well as various crimes against citizens.

The regulator said it enforced the restriction on Snapchat on October 10, although the decision was only reported more recently.

Broader Context of Online Restrictions

These latest moves follow similar blocks targeting major platforms such as YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of bans intensified following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued calculated and comprehensive initiatives to control the open internet. This has included:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Banning online services that do not comply with state demands.
• Developing technology to monitor and manipulate digital communications.

Recent Instances of Restrictions

Service for the YouTube platform was throttled last year in a case of intentional slowing by regulators. The Kremlin attributed the issue to Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, officials tightened online access with extensive shutdowns of mobile internet connections. The government stated this was needed to thwart drone strikes, but experts contended an additional move to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Regulators has also moved against popular messaging platforms. 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 two apps were being used for crime.

Concurrently, authorities have heavily pushed a dubbed "national" communication platform called Max. Critics regard it as a potential tool for oversight. The platform openly declares it will hand over data with officials if demanded, and analysts note it lacks full encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

According to cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations defines any platform where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation requires that such services register with the regulator and provide state security with the ability to monitor user data. Services failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and may be banned.

Seleznev pointed out that possibly a large number of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "predictable" and stated that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Platforms Too Targeted

In a separate development, the government announced it was blocking Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest game platform in Russia in October, with nearly eight million monthly users.

While it remains feasible to bypass certain of these limitations by employing VPN services, those are routinely blocked by the regulator as well.