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In a sustained effort to tighten control over online communications, Russian officials have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that both applications were being used to organize and conduct acts of terrorism on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator said it initiated the block targeting Snapchat in early October, although the decision was publicly disclosed on Thursday.

Wider Context of Online Restrictions

These new restrictions follow similar blocks against popular services like Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of censorship intensified following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in calculated and comprehensive strategies to rein in the internet. Measures have included:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Outlawing digital platforms that fail to comply with local rules.
• Perfecting technical capabilities to track and influence online traffic.

Recent Examples of Blocks

Access to YouTube was slowed previously in what experts called intentional slowing by regulators. Authorities attributed the issue to Google for not properly maintaining its servers in Russia.

In recent months, officials further restricted internet access with extensive shutdowns of cellular data connections. Officials insisted this was needed to prevent drone strikes, but analysts argued an additional move to tighten control over the internet.

Action Against Messaging Apps

Authorities has also moved against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in recently. This year, officials prohibited voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the ban by saying the services were being involved in criminal activities.

At the same time, authorities have actively promoted a so-called "domestic" messenger app called Max. Critics regard it as a potential surveillance tool. The service explicitly states it will share user data with the government upon request, and analysts note it does not use strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations defines any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation mandates that such services establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and provide state security with the ability to monitor communications. Services failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps tens of millions of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the service as "expected" and stated that other sites refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Platforms Too Targeted

In a separate action, the authorities announced it was banning Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from illicit content. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two gaming site in Russia last month, with nearly 8 million monthly users.

While it is still possible to circumvent some of these blocks by using virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are routinely blocked by authorities as well.