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Amid a continued crackdown to tighten control over internet access, Russian authorities have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Restrictions

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor claimed that both applications were employed to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism on Russian soil, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses targeting Russian citizens.

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

Broader Campaign of Online Restrictions

These latest moves come after previous restrictions imposed on popular services such as Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of censorship intensified in the wake of the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken calculated and wide-ranging efforts to rein in the internet. This has included:

• Passing tough new laws.
• Outlawing online services that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing systems to track and influence digital communications.

Recent Examples of Restrictions

Service for the YouTube platform was slowed previously in what experts called intentional slowing by officials. Authorities blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its infrastructure in Russia.

This summer, authorities tightened online access with extensive shutdowns of mobile internet connections. The government stated this was needed to prevent drone strikes, but critics saw it as a further measure to increase control over the internet.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

The government has also moved against popular messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were blocked in this year. Additionally, authorities prohibited voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the action by saying the two apps were being used for crime.

At the same time, the state have heavily pushed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Critics regard it as a possible tool for oversight. The service openly declares it will provide user information with authorities if demanded, and analysts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law classifies any service where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This label requires that platforms register with Roskomnadzor and provide Russia's security service with access to user accounts. Services failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and may be banned.

Seleznev noted that possibly a large number of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the service as "predictable" and warned that other sites failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "face blocking – that's obvious."

Gaming Sites Too Affected

In a separate development, the government reported it was blocking the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was child protection from harmful content. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two gaming site in Russia in October, with close to eight million players.

While it is still feasible to get around a few of these blocks by utilizing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by officials as well.