Russian Authorities Bans Snapchat and Restricts Apple's FaceTime, Regulators Announce

In a continued campaign to exert greater control over digital platforms, state officials have cut off access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor claimed that both applications were utilized to plan and execute terrorist activities within the country, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud and other crimes aimed at the populace.

Officials said it initiated the block on Snapchat on October 10, though the announcement was only made public later.

Wider Context of Internet Control

This recent action are part of similar limitations targeting major platforms such as YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of bans began in earnest in the wake of the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued deliberate and comprehensive initiatives to rein in the internet. This has included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Banning online services that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Perfecting technical capabilities to observe and control internet traffic.

Recent Examples of Crackdowns

Access to the YouTube platform was disrupted last year in what experts called targeted interference by the authorities. Russian officials blamed YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, authorities tightened internet access with widespread outages of cellular data connections. The government stated this was required to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts argued an additional move to increase control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

Authorities has also moved against popular communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in recently. Additionally, authorities prohibited voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the ban by stating the platforms were being used for illegal activities.

Simultaneously, the state have heavily pushed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Critics see it as a possible tool for oversight. The platform explicitly states it will hand over data with authorities when asked, and analysts note it lacks full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

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

This classification mandates that platforms establish a presence with the regulator and provide Russia's security service with access to communications. Those failing to do so are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps many millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the restrictions against the service as "expected" and stated that other sites that do not cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that is clear."

Gaming Sites Too Affected

As another move, the authorities announced it was banning the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was protecting children from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two gaming site in Russia recently, with close to eight million active users.

While it is still feasible to circumvent some of these limitations by utilizing VPN services, VPNs themselves are routinely blocked by officials as well.