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Amid a continued effort to exert greater control over internet access, state regulators have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that both applications were being used to organize and conduct terrorist activities inside Russia, to recruit perpetrators and carry out fraud and other crimes aimed at the populace.

Officials reported it initiated the block against Snapchat in early October, although the move was only reported more recently.

Wider Campaign of Digital Crackdown

These new restrictions are part of comparable limitations targeting key apps like Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of censorship began in earnest after the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken deliberate and multi-pronged efforts to curtail the digital space. Measures have included:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Banning digital platforms that refuse to cooperate with local rules.
• Advancing systems to track and influence internet traffic.

Other Instances of Crackdowns

Access to the YouTube platform was slowed previously in an incident described as intentional slowing by regulators. The Kremlin blamed YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, officials further restricted online access with widespread shutdowns of mobile internet connections. Officials stated this was needed to prevent drone strikes, but critics saw it as an additional move to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Authorities has also acted against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in 2024. Additionally, officials outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the ban by saying the two apps were being facilitating illegal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have actively promoted a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called Max. Critics view it as a possible monitoring instrument. The service openly declares it will share user data with officials if demanded, and analysts note it is not equipped with full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

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

This classification requires that such services establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and allow the FSB with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to do so are breaking the law and may be banned.

Seleznev pointed out that potentially tens of millions of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and stated that other platforms failing to cooperate with authorities "will be blocked – that is clear."

Gaming Sites Too Targeted

In a separate action, the government also said it was restricting Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from illicit content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular gaming site in Russia in October, with nearly 8 million active users.

Although it remains possible to get around a few of these limitations by utilizing virtual private network services, those are routinely blocked by the regulator as well.