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In a continued campaign to exert greater control over internet access, state regulators have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that these services were being used to plan and execute terrorist activities on Russian soil, to enlist people and carry out fraud along with other offenses targeting Russian citizens.

The regulator stated it initiated the block targeting Snapchat in early October, though the announcement was only reported on Thursday.

Wider Context of Online Restrictions

These new restrictions are part of similar blocks against popular services including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of restrictions began in earnest in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in calculated and multi-pronged strategies to rein in the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Blocking digital platforms that do not comply with local rules.
• Advancing technical capabilities to track and influence internet traffic.

Other Examples of Restrictions

Service for YouTube was disrupted in the past in an incident described as targeted interference by regulators. Russian officials blamed YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its hardware in Russia.

This summer, authorities further restricted online access with broad disruptions of cellphone internet connections. Officials stated this was required to counter drone strikes, but critics argued an additional move to increase control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Messaging Apps

The government has also moved against widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in 2024. Additionally, officials prohibited voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the ban by claiming the two apps were being used for crime.

Concurrently, authorities have championed a dubbed "national" messenger app called "Max". Critics see it as a possible monitoring instrument. The service explicitly states it will hand over data with authorities when asked, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

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

This label mandates that platforms register with the regulator and grant Russia's security service with entry to communications. Services failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev noted that perhaps a large number of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the service as "expected" and stated that other platforms failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Sites Too Targeted

In a separate development, the authorities also said it was blocking Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the number two gaming site in Russia recently, with approximately 8 million active users.

While it remains feasible to circumvent some of these blocks by utilizing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are frequently targeted by the regulator as well.