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In a continued campaign to exert greater control over online communications, Russian officials have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Ban

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor claimed that the two apps were utilized to organize and conduct terrorist acts inside Russia, to enlist people and commit fraud along with other offenses against citizens.

Officials reported it took action on Snapchat in early October, even though the move was only reported more recently.

Broader Context of Digital Crackdown

These latest moves are part of similar blocks imposed on major platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of restrictions began in earnest in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in deliberate and wide-ranging initiatives to control the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Adopting tough new laws.
• Banning websites and platforms that do not comply with state demands.
• Perfecting technology to track and influence online traffic.

Recent Instances of Blocks

Access to the YouTube platform was disrupted previously in what experts called deliberate throttling by regulators. Russian officials blamed Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, authorities limited internet access with widespread disruptions of mobile internet connections. The government stated this was necessary to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts saw it as another step to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Apps

Authorities has also moved against widely-used communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in 2024. This year, authorities banned calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the measure by claiming the two apps were being facilitating crime.

Simultaneously, authorities have heavily pushed a so-called "national" messenger app called "Max". Observers view it as a potential surveillance tool. The service openly declares it will provide user information with officials upon request, and experts note it is not equipped with end-to-end encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Analysis

According to lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations defines any service where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This classification requires that such services establish a presence with the regulator and grant Russia's security service with access to communications. Those failing to comply are breaking the law and may be banned.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps tens of millions of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He called the restrictions against the service as "expected" and cautioned that other platforms refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Sites Also Targeted

In a separate move, the government also said it was banning Roblox, stating the reason was child protection from inappropriate material. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular game platform in Russia in October, with approximately 8 million active users.

Although it is still possible to get around a few of these limitations by utilizing virtual private network services, such tools are also often blocked by authorities as well.