Russian Authorities Blocks Snapchat and Limits Apple's FaceTime, State Media Say

Amid a sustained campaign to increase oversight over online communications, state regulators have restricted access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that these services were being used to organize and conduct terrorist acts within the country, to enlist people and carry out fraud along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor reported it initiated the block targeting Snapchat in early October, although the announcement was only made public later.

Wider Context of Internet Control

This recent action are part of similar blocks targeting major platforms including Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of censorship escalated after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in calculated and wide-ranging efforts to control the internet. Actions have involved:

• Enacting tough new laws.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that refuse to cooperate with Russian regulations.
• Developing systems to track and influence online traffic.

Other Instances of Restrictions

Service for YouTube was disrupted last year in what experts called intentional slowing by officials. Russian officials attributed the issue to Google for failing to maintain its servers in Russia.

In recent months, officials tightened internet access with broad shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. Officials stated this was required to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts contended a further measure to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

The government has also moved against widely-used communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in recently. Additionally, officials outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the action by claiming the platforms were being facilitating crime.

Concurrently, the state have heavily pushed a dubbed "national" communication platform called Max. Critics view it as a potential surveillance tool. The app admits it will share user data with authorities if demanded, and analysts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Commentary

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

This label mandates that platforms have an account with Roskomnadzor and provide state security with entry to user accounts. Platforms that fail to comply are non-compliant and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps many millions of Russians had been using FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the blocking of the service as "expected" and warned that further services failing to cooperate with authorities "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Platforms Too Targeted

As another action, the authorities also said it was blocking Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular gaming site in Russia last month, with approximately eight million players.

While it is still possible to bypass certain of these blocks by utilizing VPN services, VPNs themselves are frequently targeted by officials as well.