Russia Blocks Snapchat and Restricts Apple's FaceTime, State Media Announce

Amid a ongoing effort to exert greater control over online communications, Russian regulators have cut off access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Ban

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were employed to organize and conduct acts of terrorism inside Russia, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud and other crimes aimed at the populace.

Officials reported it took action targeting Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the move was only reported more recently.

Broader Context of Digital Crackdown

This recent action come after previous restrictions against popular services including Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of bans began in earnest after the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in calculated and multi-pronged efforts to rein in the open internet. Measures have included:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that fail to comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing technical capabilities to track and influence digital communications.

Other Examples of Crackdowns

Access to YouTube was throttled in the past in a case of deliberate throttling by officials. Russian officials attributed the issue to Google for failing to maintain its servers in Russia.

This summer, officials tightened internet access with widespread disruptions of cellphone internet connections. The government insisted this was required to counter drone strikes, but experts saw it as an additional move to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Regulators has also targeted popular communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in 2024. This year, authorities banned calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, justifying the action by claiming the services were being involved in crime.

Concurrently, authorities have heavily pushed a so-called "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Experts see it as a possible tool for oversight. The platform explicitly states it will hand over data with officials upon request, and experts note it does not use full encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations classifies any platform where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification requires that platforms have an account with the regulator and provide state security with entry to user data. Services failing to do so are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps many millions of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and cautioned that further services refusing to comply with authorities "will be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Sites Too Targeted

As another move, the government announced it was banning Roblox, stating the reason was safeguarding minors from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular gaming site in Russia in October, with close to eight million players.

Although it remains possible to bypass certain of these blocks by using VPN services, such tools are frequently targeted by officials as well.