🔗 Share this article

Amid a ongoing campaign to exert greater control over online communications, Russian officials have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Restrictions

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that these services were being used to facilitate and carry out terrorist acts within the country, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator stated it initiated the block against Snapchat on October 10, even though the decision was publicly disclosed more recently.

Broader Context of Digital Crackdown

These latest moves come after comparable blocks against key apps such as Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of restrictions escalated following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in deliberate and multi-pronged efforts to control the internet. Actions have involved:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Outlawing digital platforms that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing technology to observe and control internet traffic.

Recent Instances of Restrictions

Access to YouTube was slowed previously in an incident described as deliberate throttling by the authorities. The Kremlin pointed the finger at Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, authorities tightened internet access with extensive outages of mobile internet connections. The government claimed this was necessary to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts contended an additional move to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Authorities has also acted against widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in this year. This year, authorities prohibited calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the action by saying the platforms were being facilitating illegal activities.

Concurrently, the state have actively promoted a so-called "domestic" communication platform called Max. Observers regard it as a possible tool for oversight. The service admits it will share user data with authorities if demanded, and analysts note it is not equipped with end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework defines any platform where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label requires that such services have an account with the regulator and allow the FSB with the ability to monitor communications. Those 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 turning to FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the service as "expected" and stated that further services refusing to comply with authorities "face blocking – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Sites Too Targeted

In a separate development, the government reported it was banning Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from harmful content. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia in October, with nearly eight million players.

Although it remains feasible to circumvent some of these restrictions by using VPN services, such tools are frequently targeted by authorities as well.