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As part of a sustained effort to tighten control over internet access, state regulators have blocked access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Block

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged that both applications were utilized to facilitate and carry out terrorist activities inside Russia, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.

The regulator said it took action on Snapchat in early October, even though the decision was only made public later.

Wider Campaign of Internet Control

These new restrictions come after comparable blocks targeting key apps including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of bans escalated in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in calculated and wide-ranging efforts to control the open internet. This has included:

• Passing stringent legislation.
• Banning online services that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Developing systems to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Other Examples of Blocks

Access to YouTube was disrupted last year in what experts called targeted interference by officials. Authorities pointed the finger at Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, officials tightened connectivity with broad disruptions of mobile internet connections. Officials claimed this was necessary to prevent drone strikes, but analysts saw it as an additional move to increase control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

The government has also acted against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in 2024. Furthermore, authorities banned voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the ban by saying the two apps were being involved in illegal activities.

Simultaneously, the state have championed a so-called "national" communication platform called Max. Experts see it as a possible monitoring instrument. The app explicitly states it will share user data with authorities when asked, and analysts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework views any service where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label mandates that platforms establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and grant Russia's security service with the ability to monitor communications. Those failing to comply are in violation and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps tens of millions of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "expected" and stated that other sites refusing to comply with authorities "face blocking – that is clear."

Entertainment Platforms Too Affected

In a related move, the government also said it was banning the online game platform Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia last month, with close to 8 million players.

While it remains feasible to get around a few of these blocks by employing VPN services, such tools are routinely blocked by officials as well.