Russian Authorities Bans Snapchat and Restricts Apple's FaceTime, Regulators Report

Amid a sustained crackdown to increase oversight over digital platforms, state regulators have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that these services were utilized to organize and conduct terrorist acts within the country, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities as well as various crimes aimed at the populace.

Roskomnadzor reported it took action on Snapchat in early October, though the decision was only reported more recently.

Broader Context of Digital Crackdown

This recent action come after previous restrictions imposed on major platforms including YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of bans intensified in the wake of the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in calculated and comprehensive initiatives to rein in the open internet. This has included:

• Passing stringent legislation.
• Blocking websites and platforms that refuse to cooperate with local rules.
• Advancing systems to observe and control internet traffic.

Other Examples of Crackdowns

Access to YouTube was throttled in the past in what experts called deliberate throttling by officials. The Kremlin attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its hardware in Russia.

This summer, authorities further restricted connectivity with widespread shutdowns of cellular data connections. Officials insisted this was necessary to counter drone strikes, but experts argued a further measure to tighten control over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Apps

The government has also acted against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in this year. Additionally, authorities outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the measure by stating the platforms were being facilitating criminal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have championed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called Max. Experts see it as a possible tool for oversight. The app explicitly states it will share user data with authorities upon request, and experts note it lacks end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework views any platform where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation requires that platforms register with the regulator and allow state security with entry to user accounts. Those failing to meet these demands are in violation and can get blocked.

Seleznev noted that perhaps a large number of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the service as "predictable" and warned that other platforms that do not cooperate with authorities "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Sites Also Affected

As another development, the government announced it was blocking Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from harmful content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the number two gaming site in Russia recently, with approximately 8 million monthly users.

While it remains feasible to bypass certain of these blocks by employing VPN services, such tools are routinely blocked by authorities as well.