🔗 Share this article

In a sustained crackdown to increase oversight over internet access, state officials have cut off access to Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were being used to plan and execute terrorist acts inside Russia, to recruit perpetrators and carry out fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

Roskomnadzor reported it initiated the block on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, though the decision was only made public on Thursday.

Wider Campaign of Online Restrictions

These latest moves are part of similar limitations against key apps like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. The campaign of restrictions intensified in the wake of the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, the government have undertaken deliberate and multi-pronged initiatives to control the internet. Measures have included:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Blocking websites and platforms that do not comply with state demands.
• Advancing technical capabilities to observe and control digital communications.

Other Examples of Blocks

Service for YouTube was throttled last year in a case of deliberate throttling by officials. Russian officials blamed Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, authorities tightened internet access with extensive disruptions of mobile internet connections. Officials insisted this was required to thwart drone strikes, but experts contended another step to assert dominance over the internet.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Regulators has also targeted widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in recently. Furthermore, authorities banned voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the ban by stating the platforms were being involved in crime.

Simultaneously, the state have actively promoted a dubbed "national" messenger app called "Max". Critics view it as a potential monitoring instrument. The app openly declares it will hand over data with authorities when asked, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations classifies any platform where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label obligates that platforms register with the regulator and allow Russia's security service with the ability to monitor user accounts. Platforms that fail to meet these demands are non-compliant and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps many millions of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the service as "predictable" and warned that other sites failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Entertainment Platforms Also Targeted

As another action, the authorities also said it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from harmful content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest gaming site in Russia recently, with approximately eight million players.

Although it remains possible to bypass certain of these restrictions by employing VPN services, such tools are frequently targeted by authorities as well.