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As part of a continued crackdown to tighten control over digital platforms, Russian authorities have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Ban

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that the two apps were utilized to plan and execute acts of terrorism on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and engage in fraudulent activities as well as various crimes targeting Russian citizens.

The regulator said it took action against Snapchat back on the 10th of October, although the announcement was only made public later.

Broader Context of Online Restrictions

This recent action come after comparable limitations targeting major platforms such as Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of restrictions escalated after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, the government have undertaken deliberate and multi-pronged initiatives to control the internet. Actions have involved:

• Passing stringent legislation.
• Banning websites and platforms that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Developing technical capabilities to observe and control digital communications.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Service for YouTube was disrupted previously in an incident described as intentional slowing by officials. The Kremlin blamed Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, officials further restricted connectivity with extensive shutdowns of cellular data connections. Officials insisted this was necessary to counter drone strikes, but critics contended another step to increase control over the internet.

Action Against Communication Platforms

Regulators has also acted against popular messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. Additionally, officials outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the measure by claiming the two apps were being facilitating illegal activities.

At the same time, the state have heavily pushed a dubbed "national" messenger app called Max. Observers view it as a possible surveillance tool. The service admits it will hand over data with the government when asked, and experts note it does not use end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Analysis

According to lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework classifies any platform where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation requires that platforms establish a presence with the regulator and grant the FSB with access to communications. Those failing to comply are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps many millions of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the service as "predictable" and warned that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Platforms Also Affected

In a separate development, the government also said it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from harmful content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two gaming site in Russia recently, with close to 8 million active users.

While it remains feasible to bypass certain of these restrictions by using virtual private network services, those are also often blocked by the regulator as well.