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In a ongoing campaign to increase oversight over digital platforms, state regulators have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were utilized to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism inside Russia, to enlist people and carry out fraud as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator stated it initiated the block against Snapchat back on the 10th of October, although the decision was only made public on Thursday.

Wider Campaign of Online Restrictions

These new restrictions are part of comparable restrictions against popular services including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of bans intensified following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued deliberate and multi-pronged strategies to rein in the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Adopting stringent legislation.
• Outlawing digital platforms that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing technology to observe and control online traffic.

Recent Examples of Blocks

Service for YouTube was throttled previously in what experts called targeted interference by the authorities. The Kremlin pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its infrastructure in Russia.

In recent months, authorities further restricted internet access with widespread disruptions of mobile internet connections. Officials stated this was necessary to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics saw it as a further measure to increase control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Platforms

Regulators has also acted against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in recently. Additionally, authorities prohibited calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the action by saying the platforms were being used for crime.

Concurrently, authorities have championed a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called Max. Experts see it as a potential surveillance tool. The service explicitly states it will hand over data with authorities when asked, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

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

This label requires that such services have an account with Roskomnadzor and allow state security with the ability to monitor communications. Those failing to do so are in violation and face blocking.

Seleznev noted that possibly tens of millions of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that other platforms that do not cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that is clear."

Entertainment Platforms Too Targeted

As another development, the authorities reported it was restricting Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from illicit content. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia last month, with close to 8 million players.

While it remains feasible to get around a few of these limitations by using virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are frequently targeted by officials as well.