Russian Authorities Blocks Snapchat and Cracks Down on Apple's FaceTime, Officials Announce

Amid a ongoing effort to tighten control over online communications, Russian authorities have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were employed to facilitate and carry out terrorist acts inside Russia, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud as well as various crimes against citizens.

The regulator reported it enforced the restriction targeting Snapchat in early October, although the announcement was only made public later.

Broader Context of Online Restrictions

These latest moves are part of previous blocks against popular services like Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of bans intensified in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in calculated and comprehensive strategies to curtail the open internet. Measures have included:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Outlawing online services that do not comply with Russian regulations.
• Advancing technology to observe and control internet traffic.

Other Instances of Restrictions

Service for YouTube was slowed last year in a case of targeted interference by the authorities. The Kremlin blamed Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia.

Recently, officials further restricted connectivity with widespread shutdowns of mobile internet connections. Officials stated this was required to prevent drone strikes, but critics contended another step to increase control over the internet.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

The government has also moved against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. Furthermore, authorities banned voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the action by claiming the two apps were being facilitating criminal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have actively promoted a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Experts view it as a possible tool for oversight. The platform admits it will hand over data with authorities upon request, and experts note it is not equipped with full encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework classifies any service where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification obligates that such services establish a presence with the regulator and provide state security with the ability to monitor user accounts. Platforms that fail to comply are breaking the law and may be banned.

Seleznev pointed out that potentially many millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that other sites failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – it is inevitable."

Entertainment Sites Also Targeted

As another development, the authorities also said it was restricting Roblox, stating the reason was safeguarding minors from harmful content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest gaming site in Russia in October, with approximately eight million monthly users.

Although it is still possible to bypass certain of these limitations by utilizing virtual private network services, such tools are also often blocked by the regulator as well.