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As part of a sustained effort to exert greater control over digital platforms, Russian authorities have blocked access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Ban

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that these services were employed to facilitate and carry out terrorist activities within the country, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud and other crimes aimed at the populace.

The regulator said it initiated the block against Snapchat on October 10, even though the move was only made public later.

Wider Campaign of Online Restrictions

These latest moves come after similar blocks against key apps including Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of censorship began in earnest following the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in deliberate and multi-pronged efforts to rein in the internet. Measures have included:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Blocking digital platforms that do not comply with state demands.
• Developing technology to track and influence online traffic.

Other Examples of Blocks

Access to YouTube was slowed last year in a case of deliberate throttling by regulators. The Kremlin blamed Google for allegedly neglecting its hardware in Russia.

Recently, authorities limited connectivity with broad disruptions of cellular data connections. The government claimed this was required to counter Ukrainian drone attacks, but critics contended a further measure to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Action Against Communication Platforms

Regulators has also acted against popular communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were restricted in 2024. Furthermore, authorities prohibited voice calls on the WhatsApp app and Telegram, defending the ban by stating the two apps were being used for illegal activities.

Concurrently, authorities have championed a so-called "national" communication platform called "Max". Critics view it as a possible surveillance tool. The service admits it will hand over data with the government when asked, and analysts note it lacks full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

According to lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, Russian law classifies any platform where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer".

This classification mandates that such services register with Roskomnadzor and provide the FSB with entry to user data. Platforms that fail to do so are non-compliant and can get blocked.

Seleznev estimated that potentially many millions of users in Russia had been using FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He called the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and cautioned that other sites refusing to comply with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – that is clear."

Gaming Platforms Also Affected

In a separate action, the government also said it was banning the online game platform Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. Per data from research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia last month, with approximately 8 million monthly users.

Although it is still possible to get around a few of these limitations by using VPN services, such tools are also often blocked by authorities as well.