Russia Blocks Snapchat and Restricts Apple's FaceTime, Regulators Report

As part of a sustained crackdown to increase oversight over digital platforms, state officials have cut off access to Snapchat and placed curbs on Apple's video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were utilized to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism on Russian soil, to recruit perpetrators and commit fraud along with other offenses targeting Russian citizens.

Officials reported it took action targeting Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the move was publicly disclosed more recently.

Broader Context of Digital Crackdown

These latest moves are part of previous limitations targeting major platforms like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of bans began in earnest in the wake of the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued deliberate and comprehensive strategies to control the internet. This has included:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Outlawing websites and platforms that refuse to cooperate with state demands.
• Developing technology to monitor and manipulate internet traffic.

Other Examples of Blocks

Service for YouTube was disrupted previously in what experts called targeted interference by regulators. Authorities blamed YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its servers in Russia.

Recently, authorities limited internet access with widespread outages of cellular data connections. Officials claimed this was required to prevent drone strikes, but experts saw it as another step to assert dominance over the internet.

Action Against Messaging Apps

The government has also acted against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in recently. Furthermore, authorities banned calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the measure by saying the services were being facilitating illegal activities.

Simultaneously, authorities have heavily pushed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called "Max". Critics see it as a possible tool for oversight. The app openly declares it will provide user information with officials upon request, and analysts note it does not use strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Commentary

As explained by cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law views any service where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation requires that platforms have an account with the regulator and allow the FSB with the ability to monitor user data. Platforms that fail to comply are breaking the law and face blocking.

Seleznev noted that perhaps a large number of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, especially after calls were banned on other messaging apps. He called the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and stated that other platforms failing to cooperate with authorities "face blocking – that is clear."

Gaming Platforms Too Targeted

As another action, the government also said it was banning Roblox, stating the reason was safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia in October, with close to eight million active users.

Although it remains feasible to circumvent some of these blocks by utilizing VPN services, such tools are routinely blocked by officials as well.