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In a sustained crackdown to increase oversight over digital platforms, state officials have blocked access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Ban

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were being used to organize and conduct terrorist activities within the country, to enlist people and commit fraud and other crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator stated it initiated the block on Snapchat on October 10, though the move was only reported more recently.

Broader Campaign of Internet Control

These new restrictions come after previous restrictions targeting major platforms including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of bans intensified in the wake of the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in systematic and multi-pronged efforts to control the internet. This has included:

• Enacting restrictive laws.
• Outlawing online services that fail to comply with state demands.
• Advancing systems to track and influence internet traffic.

Other Instances of Crackdowns

Service for the YouTube platform was slowed last year in a case of targeted interference by officials. Russian officials pointed the finger at Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, officials limited online access with widespread outages of cellular data connections. The government claimed this was needed to counter drone strikes, but critics saw it as an additional move to increase control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Apps

Regulators has also acted against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in this year. Furthermore, officials prohibited calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the action by saying the two apps were being involved in criminal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have actively promoted a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Observers view it as a possible tool for oversight. The app admits it will hand over data with the government if demanded, and experts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

According to lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law classifies any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This label mandates that such services establish a presence with the regulator and grant state security with entry to user data. Those failing to do so are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev estimated that potentially a large number of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the service as "predictable" and cautioned that other platforms refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Sites Also Targeted

In a related development, the authorities also said it was restricting Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from harmful content. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two gaming site in Russia recently, with nearly 8 million monthly users.

While it is still possible to get around a few of these blocks by employing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by authorities as well.