🔗 Share this article

In a sustained crackdown to tighten control over online communications, state authorities have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that both applications were being used to organize and conduct terrorist activities on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

The regulator stated it initiated the block on Snapchat on October 10, although the announcement was only reported later.

Broader Campaign of Digital Crackdown

These new restrictions are part of previous limitations imposed on key apps like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of bans intensified following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, authorities have undertaken deliberate and multi-pronged initiatives to curtail the open internet. Measures have included:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Blocking digital platforms that do not comply with state demands.
• Perfecting technical capabilities to observe and control online traffic.

Recent Instances of Crackdowns

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

This summer, authorities limited connectivity with extensive shutdowns of cellular data connections. Officials claimed this was needed to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts saw it as an additional move to increase control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

The government has also targeted widely-used communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in recently. Furthermore, officials banned calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the action by stating the two apps were being used for illegal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have heavily pushed a so-called "national" communication platform called "Max". Critics regard it as a possible surveillance tool. The service explicitly states it will provide user information with the government upon request, and experts note it lacks strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

According to cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law views any platform where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This classification requires that such services have an account with Roskomnadzor and grant state security with the ability to monitor user accounts. Services failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and face blocking.

Seleznev noted that potentially tens of millions of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Entertainment Platforms Too Targeted

As another move, the authorities announced it was restricting Roblox, citing protecting children from inappropriate material. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia in October, with nearly eight million monthly users.

Although it is still possible to circumvent some of these restrictions by utilizing virtual private network services, those are routinely blocked by the regulator as well.