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As part of a continued campaign to exert greater control over digital platforms, Russian authorities have blocked access to Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Block

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor stated that these services were utilized to plan and execute terrorist acts inside Russia, to enlist people and carry out fraud along with other offenses against citizens.

Roskomnadzor reported it initiated the block on Snapchat on October 10, although the move was only reported on Thursday.

Broader Context of Internet Control

This recent action follow similar blocks against popular services including YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of censorship intensified in the wake of the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, the government have pursued systematic and wide-ranging efforts to curtail the internet. Actions have involved:

• Passing stringent legislation.
• Blocking online services that refuse to cooperate with local rules.
• Advancing systems to track and influence online traffic.

Recent Instances of Restrictions

Access to YouTube was disrupted in the past in an incident described as deliberate throttling by officials. Russian officials attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its hardware in Russia.

This summer, authorities further restricted internet access with widespread disruptions of mobile internet connections. Officials stated this was necessary to thwart drone strikes, but critics contended an additional move to assert dominance over the internet.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

The government has also moved against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in 2024. Additionally, authorities banned voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the action by claiming the services were being facilitating illegal activities.

At the same time, authorities have actively promoted a so-called "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Critics see it as a possible monitoring instrument. The service explicitly states it will share user data with officials when asked, and analysts note it does not use full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

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

This classification obligates that platforms establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and allow the FSB with the ability to monitor user data. Platforms that fail to comply are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that perhaps many millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the Apple service as "expected" and stated that further services refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Platforms Too Targeted

As another development, the government reported it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was protecting children from harmful content. Per data from research group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular gaming site in Russia recently, with approximately eight million players.

Although it is still possible to get around a few of these blocks by employing VPN services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by officials as well.