Russian Authorities Restricts Snapchat and Restricts Apple's FaceTime, State Media Report

Amid a ongoing effort to increase oversight over internet access, Russian authorities have blocked access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor stated that these services were employed to facilitate and carry out terrorist activities on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

Officials said it took action against Snapchat in early October, though the move was publicly disclosed on Thursday.

Broader Campaign of Internet Control

These latest moves come after previous blocks against popular services like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of bans intensified after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken systematic and multi-pronged strategies to rein in the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Adopting stringent legislation.
• Blocking online services that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Perfecting technical capabilities to observe and control digital communications.

Other Instances of Crackdowns

Access to YouTube was disrupted last year in what experts called targeted interference by officials. Authorities pointed the finger at Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, officials limited connectivity with extensive disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government claimed this was needed to prevent drone strikes, but experts saw it as another step to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Apps

Authorities has also targeted popular messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in this year. Additionally, authorities banned calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the ban by saying the platforms were being involved in illegal activities.

Concurrently, the state have actively promoted a so-called "domestic" communication platform called Max. Experts see it as a potential surveillance tool. The app admits it will provide user information with officials upon request, and experts note it does not use end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework classifies any platform where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label mandates that platforms have an account with the regulator and allow the FSB with entry to communications. Those failing to meet these demands are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev noted that possibly tens of millions of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and cautioned that further services refusing to comply with authorities "face blocking – that is clear."

Gaming Platforms Also Targeted

In a separate development, the government reported it was blocking Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from illicit content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the number two game platform in Russia in October, with approximately eight million active users.

While it remains possible to get around a few of these limitations by utilizing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by the regulator as well.