Russia Restricts Snapchat and Restricts Apple's FaceTime, Regulators Say

As part of a ongoing effort to increase oversight over digital platforms, state authorities have cut off access to Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Restrictions

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were being used to plan and execute terrorist activities on Russian soil, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses targeting Russian citizens.

The regulator said it enforced the restriction on Snapchat in early October, though the announcement was only made public on Thursday.

Broader Context of Internet Control

These latest moves follow similar blocks imposed on major platforms including YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of restrictions escalated following the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, authorities have undertaken deliberate and multi-pronged efforts to control the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Enacting restrictive laws.
• Blocking digital platforms that refuse to cooperate with local rules.
• Developing technology to monitor and manipulate digital communications.

Other Instances of Blocks

Service for YouTube was throttled previously in a case of deliberate throttling by the authorities. Authorities blamed YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its servers in Russia.

In recent months, authorities limited internet access with widespread shutdowns of mobile internet connections. The government stated this was required to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts argued a further measure to increase control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Apps

Authorities has also acted against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in this year. Furthermore, authorities prohibited calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the action by claiming the platforms were being used for criminal activities.

At the same time, the state have heavily pushed a so-called "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Observers regard it as a potential surveillance tool. The platform openly declares it will provide user information with the government when asked, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law views any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation requires that such services establish a presence with the regulator and grant the FSB with access to communications. Services failing to do so are non-compliant and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that potentially many millions of Russians had been using FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and cautioned that other sites that do not cooperate with authorities "face blocking – that's obvious."

Entertainment Sites Too Targeted

In a related development, the authorities reported it was banning Roblox, stating the reason was protecting children from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the number two gaming site in Russia last month, with approximately eight million monthly users.

While it is still possible to bypass certain of these limitations by utilizing virtual private network services, those are frequently targeted by the regulator as well.