In a ongoing effort to exert greater control over online communications, Russian authorities have restricted access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.
Official Justifications for the Ban
The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that these services were utilized to facilitate and carry out terrorist acts within the country, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities as well as various crimes against citizens.
Roskomnadzor said it initiated the block on Snapchat on October 10, though the decision was only reported later.
Wider Context of Digital Crackdown
These new restrictions are part of previous blocks against popular services such as YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of bans intensified following the 2022 military action of Ukraine.
Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued systematic and multi-pronged initiatives to control the internet. Actions have involved:
- Enacting tough new laws.
- Blocking online services that refuse to cooperate with Russian regulations.
- Advancing technical capabilities to monitor and manipulate online traffic.
Recent Instances of Blocks
Service for the YouTube platform was throttled previously in what experts called deliberate throttling by officials. Authorities blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its hardware in Russia.
In recent months, authorities limited internet access with broad shutdowns of cellular data connections. The government insisted this was needed to prevent drone strikes, but analysts saw it as an additional move to increase control over the internet.
Targeting Communication Platforms
The government has also targeted popular messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in recently. This year, officials outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the action by claiming the two apps were being involved in crime.
Simultaneously, the state have heavily pushed a so-called "national" messenger app called Max. Critics regard it as a possible tool for oversight. The app openly declares it will provide user information with the government when asked, and analysts note it is not equipped with full encryption.
Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis
As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law defines any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".
This label mandates that platforms register with the regulator and grant state security with entry to user data. Those failing to do so are non-compliant and can get blocked.
Seleznev estimated that possibly many millions of Russians had been using FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and cautioned that other platforms refusing to comply with authorities "face blocking – that's obvious."
Gaming Sites Also Affected
In a separate action, the government reported it was banning the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was child protection from illicit content. Per data from research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia last month, with approximately 8 million active users.
Although it is still possible to bypass certain of these limitations by employing virtual private network services, those are also often blocked by authorities as well.
