🔗 Share this article

Amid a continued campaign to increase oversight over digital platforms, state regulators have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Ban

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor claimed that these services were utilized to plan and execute terrorist activities inside Russia, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud as well as various crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Officials stated it enforced the restriction against Snapchat on October 10, even though the move was only reported on Thursday.

Broader Campaign of Digital Crackdown

These new restrictions are part of comparable limitations imposed on popular services like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. The campaign of restrictions escalated in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in systematic and multi-pronged strategies to rein in the internet. Actions have involved:

• Adopting stringent legislation.
• Outlawing online services that do not comply with local rules.
• Developing systems to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Other Examples of Crackdowns

Access to the YouTube platform was disrupted last year in a case of intentional slowing by the authorities. Authorities attributed the issue to YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its hardware in Russia.

Recently, authorities tightened internet access with widespread shutdowns of cellular data connections. Officials insisted this was needed to counter drone strikes, but analysts argued an additional move to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Platforms

Regulators has also targeted widely-used messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in recently. Additionally, authorities outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the ban by claiming the services were being facilitating illegal activities.

Concurrently, authorities have actively promoted a so-called "domestic" communication platform called Max. Critics view it as a potential tool for oversight. The service admits it will share user data with officials upon request, and experts note it lacks end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Commentary

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law defines any service where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification mandates that such services establish a presence with the regulator and provide Russia's security service with access to communications. Those failing to meet these demands are non-compliant and can get blocked.

Seleznev noted that potentially a large number of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the service as "predictable" and warned that other sites refusing to comply with authorities "face blocking – that's obvious."

Gaming Platforms Also Affected

As another development, the government reported it was banning the online game platform Roblox, claiming it aimed at safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the second-largest gaming site in Russia recently, with close to eight million players.

Although it remains possible to circumvent some of these restrictions by using virtual private network services, those are routinely blocked by authorities as well.