Russia Bans Snapchat and Restricts Apple's FaceTime, Officials Announce

As part of a continued crackdown to tighten control over online communications, Russian regulators have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on Apple's FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Restrictions

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that these services were employed to organize and conduct acts of terrorism within the country, to enlist people and commit fraud as well as various crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Officials said it took action on Snapchat on October 10, though the move was only reported on Thursday.

Wider Campaign of Internet Control

These new restrictions follow previous limitations against key apps such as Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of bans began in earnest following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, authorities have undertaken calculated and wide-ranging initiatives to rein in the internet. This has included:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Banning digital platforms that refuse to cooperate with state demands.
• Advancing technology to track and influence digital communications.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Access to the YouTube platform was disrupted previously in a case of intentional slowing by the authorities. The Kremlin attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, officials limited online access with broad shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. Officials insisted this was necessary to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts argued an additional move to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Authorities has also moved against popular messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in this year. This year, authorities prohibited calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the ban by saying the platforms were being involved in crime.

At the same time, the state have actively promoted a so-called "national" messenger app called Max. Critics view it as a possible tool for oversight. The service admits it will provide user information with authorities upon request, and analysts note it does not use end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

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

This classification mandates that such services register with Roskomnadzor and grant the FSB with entry to communications. Platforms that fail to do so are non-compliant and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that possibly tens of millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and stated that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Platforms Too Targeted

As another move, the authorities reported it was banning Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from illicit content. Per data from research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia in October, with close to eight million monthly users.

While it remains feasible to bypass certain of these restrictions by using VPN services, VPNs themselves are routinely blocked by officials as well.