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In a continued effort to exert greater control over digital platforms, Russian officials have blocked access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on Apple's FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Block

Russia's communications watchdog Roskomnadzor alleged that these services were utilized to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism inside Russia, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Roskomnadzor stated it initiated the block against Snapchat on October 10, even though the move was only made public more recently.

Broader Campaign of Internet Control

These latest moves are part of similar restrictions targeting key apps such as Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of restrictions escalated after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken systematic and multi-pronged strategies to control the open internet. Measures have included:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Blocking digital platforms that do not comply with local rules.
• Perfecting systems to monitor and manipulate digital communications.

Recent Instances of Restrictions

Service for YouTube was throttled previously in what experts called deliberate throttling by officials. Authorities pointed the finger at Google for allegedly neglecting its hardware in Russia.

This summer, authorities tightened connectivity with broad disruptions of cellular data connections. The government claimed this was needed to counter drone strikes, but experts contended a further measure to increase control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Platforms

The government has also acted against widely-used messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in recently. Furthermore, authorities banned calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the action by claiming the services were being facilitating crime.

Concurrently, the state have heavily pushed a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called Max. Observers regard it as a possible monitoring instrument. The platform admits it will provide user information with authorities upon request, and experts note it is not equipped with strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Expert Commentary

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law views any platform where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This designation mandates that platforms establish a presence with Roskomnadzor and grant state security with the ability to monitor user data. Platforms that fail to meet these demands are breaking the law and may be banned.

Seleznev estimated that perhaps 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 "expected" and stated that other sites refusing to comply with authorities "face blocking – that's obvious."

Gaming Sites Also Affected

In a separate action, the authorities announced it was restricting Roblox, citing child protection from illicit content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two game platform in Russia recently, with close to 8 million monthly users.

While it remains feasible to get around a few of these blocks by employing virtual private network services, such tools are also often blocked by officials as well.