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As part of a sustained effort to increase oversight over digital platforms, state regulators have blocked access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Ban

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor stated that these services were utilized to plan and execute terrorist activities inside Russia, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

Officials said it took action targeting Snapchat on October 10, though the announcement was only reported more recently.

Broader Campaign of Digital Crackdown

This recent action come after previous restrictions against major platforms such as Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of censorship intensified following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in calculated and wide-ranging efforts to rein in the open internet. Measures have included:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Blocking digital platforms that fail to comply with state demands.
• Perfecting systems to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Recent Examples of Crackdowns

Access to YouTube was slowed previously in an incident described as intentional slowing by the authorities. The Kremlin pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its hardware in Russia.

Recently, officials limited online access with widespread shutdowns of cellular data connections. The government claimed this was required to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics contended a further measure to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Authorities has also acted against popular communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in 2024. Furthermore, officials outlawed voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the ban by saying the services were being facilitating illegal activities.

Concurrently, the state have actively promoted a so-called "national" messenger app called "Max". Critics see it as a potential tool for oversight. The platform admits it will provide user information with officials upon request, and experts note it does not use strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework views any service where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation mandates that platforms have an account with the regulator and provide state security with access to user accounts. Those failing to do so are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps a large number of Russians had been using FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and warned that further services refusing to comply with authorities "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Platforms Also Targeted

In a separate development, the government also said it was banning the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular gaming site in Russia in October, with nearly eight million monthly users.

While it is still possible to bypass certain of these limitations by employing VPN services, those are also often blocked by authorities as well.