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Amid a continued crackdown to exert greater control over online communications, Russian regulators have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on Apple's video calling service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Justifications for the Ban

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged that these services were being used to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism within the country, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.

Officials reported it enforced the restriction targeting Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the announcement was only made public on Thursday.

Broader Campaign of Digital Crackdown

This recent action follow similar limitations targeting major platforms like Google's YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. These measures of bans began in earnest after the onset of the conflict of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have engaged in calculated and multi-pronged efforts to rein in the open internet. Measures have included:

• Adopting restrictive laws.
• Blocking online services that fail to comply with local rules.
• Developing systems to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Other Instances of Blocks

Access to YouTube was slowed last year in what experts called targeted interference by officials. The Kremlin pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its hardware in Russia.

This summer, officials limited online access with extensive disruptions of cellular data connections. Officials stated this was necessary to prevent drone strikes, but critics saw it as another step to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Targeting Messaging Platforms

The government has also targeted widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. Additionally, officials banned calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, explaining the ban by stating the services were being used for crime.

Simultaneously, authorities have championed a dubbed "domestic" messenger app called Max. Critics view it as a potential surveillance tool. The app explicitly states it will provide user information with the government if demanded, and analysts note it is not equipped with full encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Analysis

As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations classifies any platform where people can communicate as an "information dissemination organizer".

This classification mandates that such services have an account with the regulator and allow the FSB with entry to user data. Those failing to do so are in violation and may be banned.

Seleznev noted that perhaps a large number of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, especially after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He called the restrictions against the Apple service as "expected" and warned that other platforms failing to cooperate with authorities "will be blocked – that's obvious."

Gaming Platforms Too Targeted

In a related move, the government also said it was blocking Roblox, citing safeguarding minors from harmful content. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia in October, with nearly eight million monthly users.

While it is still possible to get around a few of these limitations by utilizing virtual private network services, such tools are frequently targeted by officials as well.