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In a sustained campaign to increase oversight over digital platforms, Russian regulators have blocked access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that these services were being used to facilitate and carry out terrorist acts inside Russia, to enlist people and commit fraud as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor stated it initiated the block on Snapchat in early October, although the move was only made public more recently.

Wider Context of Internet Control

These new restrictions come after comparable blocks imposed on popular services including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. The campaign of censorship escalated after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in systematic and wide-ranging strategies to control the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Enacting stringent legislation.
• Banning websites and platforms that fail to comply with local rules.
• Advancing technology to observe and control digital communications.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Access to the YouTube platform was slowed in the past in what experts called targeted interference by the authorities. Authorities pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, authorities tightened internet access with widespread shutdowns of mobile internet connections. The government insisted this was required to thwart drone strikes, but experts contended another step to assert dominance over the internet.

Action Against Communication Platforms

Authorities has also acted against widely-used communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in this year. Additionally, officials outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the action by stating the services were being facilitating illegal activities.

Simultaneously, the state have heavily pushed a so-called "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Experts view it as a potential tool for oversight. The app explicitly states it will provide user information with the government upon request, and experts note it does not use end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Commentary

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law defines any platform where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This designation requires that such services register with the regulator and grant Russia's security service with the ability to monitor user accounts. Services failing to do so are breaking the law and can get blocked.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps many millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the service as "expected" and stated that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – that's obvious."

Gaming Platforms Also Targeted

In a related development, the authorities also said it was banning Roblox, citing child protection from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest game platform in Russia recently, with approximately eight million players.

While it remains feasible to bypass certain of these restrictions by employing VPN services, those are routinely blocked by the regulator as well.