🔗 Share this article

In a sustained crackdown to increase oversight over digital platforms, Russian authorities have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Ban

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were utilized to organize and conduct acts of terrorism inside Russia, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor stated it enforced the restriction targeting Snapchat in early October, though the move was only made public on Thursday.

Wider Context of Online Restrictions

These new restrictions follow comparable blocks imposed on key apps like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of bans escalated after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, the government have undertaken deliberate and comprehensive efforts to rein in the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Passing stringent legislation.
• Blocking digital platforms that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Developing technology to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Other Instances of Restrictions

Access to YouTube was disrupted last year in an incident described as deliberate throttling by regulators. The Kremlin blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its servers in Russia.

This summer, officials further restricted internet access with extensive shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. Officials insisted this was needed to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts contended a further measure to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Apps

Regulators has also targeted widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in recently. Additionally, officials banned voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the measure by saying the services were being used for criminal activities.

At the same time, authorities have heavily pushed a dubbed "national" messenger app called "Max". Experts view it as a possible surveillance tool. The app openly declares it will hand over data with officials if demanded, and experts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

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

This classification mandates that such services register with the regulator and allow state security with access to user accounts. Those failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and may be banned.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps a large number of Russians had been using FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the blocking of the service as "expected" and cautioned that other sites failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Sites Also Targeted

In a related development, the government announced it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, citing child protection from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular gaming site in Russia last month, with nearly 8 million players.

Although it remains possible to bypass certain of these restrictions by utilizing VPN services, VPNs themselves are frequently targeted by authorities as well.