Russia Restricts Snapchat and Cracks Down on Apple's FaceTime, Regulators Say

As part of a sustained campaign to exert greater control over digital platforms, state officials have blocked access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that these services were employed to organize and conduct terrorist acts within the country, for recruiting individuals and commit fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

The regulator said it took action on Snapchat on October 10, even though the move was only reported later.

Broader Context of Internet Control

These latest moves come after comparable blocks targeting major platforms like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. The campaign of censorship escalated following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued calculated and multi-pronged strategies to rein in the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Adopting tough new laws.
• Banning websites and platforms that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing technology to monitor and manipulate internet traffic.

Recent Instances of Blocks

Access to the YouTube platform was throttled in the past in what experts called targeted interference by regulators. Authorities pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its servers in Russia.

Recently, authorities limited online access with extensive disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government claimed this was needed to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts contended another step to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Authorities has also moved against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in this year. This year, authorities prohibited voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the action by saying the two apps were being used for criminal activities.

At the same time, authorities have championed a dubbed "national" messenger app called "Max". Observers view it as a possible monitoring instrument. The service admits it will share user data with officials when asked, and analysts note it does not use end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

According to cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework defines any platform where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation obligates that such services have an account with the regulator and allow the FSB with entry to user accounts. Those failing to do so are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev estimated that possibly tens of millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that further services failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that is clear."

Gaming Platforms Too Targeted

As another move, the government reported it was restricting Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the number two gaming site in Russia last month, with nearly 8 million monthly users.

Although it remains feasible to circumvent some of these restrictions by utilizing VPN services, such tools are frequently targeted by officials as well.