🔗 Share this article

As part of a ongoing campaign to increase oversight over internet access, Russian authorities have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that these services were employed to plan and execute terrorist activities inside Russia, for recruiting individuals and commit fraud and other crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator reported it initiated the block against Snapchat back on the 10th of October, although the announcement was only reported on Thursday.

Wider Context of Digital Crackdown

These latest moves follow comparable limitations targeting major platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of restrictions escalated after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in systematic and wide-ranging strategies to rein in the internet. Actions have involved:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Banning online services that do not comply with state demands.
• Developing technology to track and influence online traffic.

Other Instances of Blocks

Access to YouTube was throttled in the past in what experts called deliberate throttling by officials. Authorities pointed the finger at Google for failing to maintain its servers in Russia.

In recent months, officials further restricted connectivity with extensive disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government claimed this was needed to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts argued a further measure to assert dominance over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Apps

The government has also moved against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in recently. Additionally, officials banned calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the action by saying the services were being facilitating crime.

Simultaneously, the state have heavily pushed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Experts view it as a potential surveillance tool. The service admits it will share user data with officials when asked, and analysts note it is not equipped with end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Commentary

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework views any service where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label requires that platforms have an account with the regulator and provide state security with the ability to monitor communications. Services failing to comply are breaking the law and may be banned.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps many millions of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "expected" and cautioned that other platforms that do not cooperate with authorities "will be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Platforms Also Targeted

In a related action, the government reported it was banning Roblox, citing child protection from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest gaming site in Russia in October, with approximately 8 million players.

While it remains feasible to get around a few of these restrictions by employing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are routinely blocked by officials as well.