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Amid a sustained crackdown to increase oversight over online communications, Russian authorities have cut off access to Snapchat and placed curbs on Apple's FaceTime service, FaceTime.

Stated Justifications for the Restrictions

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were employed to facilitate and carry out terrorist acts within the country, to recruit perpetrators and carry out fraud along with other offenses aimed at the populace.

Officials stated it enforced the restriction against Snapchat in early October, although the announcement was publicly disclosed later.

Wider Campaign of Digital Crackdown

This recent action follow previous restrictions against major platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of bans intensified after the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued systematic and wide-ranging efforts to rein in the open internet. Actions have involved:

• Adopting stringent legislation.
• Blocking websites and platforms that fail to comply with state demands.
• Advancing systems to observe and control digital communications.

Other Examples of Crackdowns

Service for the YouTube platform was disrupted last year in what experts called targeted interference by the authorities. The Kremlin blamed Google for failing to maintain its servers in Russia.

In recent months, officials further restricted connectivity with extensive shutdowns of cellular data connections. Officials stated this was necessary to prevent drone strikes, but experts contended a further measure to increase control over the internet.

Action Against Messaging Apps

Regulators has also moved against popular messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were banned in 2024. Furthermore, authorities banned calls via WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the action by saying the two apps were being used for crime.

Concurrently, the state have heavily pushed a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Observers see it as a possible tool for oversight. The service openly declares it will provide user information with officials if demanded, and analysts note it does not use full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Commentary

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework classifies any platform where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This label requires that platforms establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and allow state security with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to meet these demands are in violation and face blocking.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps tens of millions of users in Russia had been turning to FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and cautioned that other sites that do not cooperate with authorities "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Platforms Too Targeted

In a separate development, the government also said it was banning Roblox, claiming it aimed at protecting children from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular gaming site in Russia in October, with approximately 8 million players.

Although it remains possible to circumvent some of these blocks by using VPN services, such tools are also often blocked by the regulator as well.