🔗 Share this article Russian Authorities Restricts Snapchat and Restricts Apple's FaceTime, Officials Announce As part of a sustained effort to tighten control over digital platforms, state authorities have cut off access to the social media app Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime. Stated Reasons for the Ban The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were being used to organize and conduct terrorist acts inside Russia, to enlist people and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses aimed at the populace. The regulator stated it initiated the block against Snapchat back on the 10th of October, though the move was publicly disclosed later. Wider Campaign of Internet Control These latest moves follow comparable restrictions against major platforms including YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram service. This wave of censorship intensified following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine. Since Vladimir Putin, the government have pursued deliberate and comprehensive strategies to rein in the digital space. Measures have included: Enacting restrictive laws. Banning online services that fail to comply with Russian regulations. Advancing technical capabilities to monitor and manipulate internet traffic. Recent Examples of Restrictions Service for YouTube was slowed previously in an incident described as targeted interference by regulators. The Kremlin pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for failing to maintain its infrastructure in Russia. This summer, authorities limited online access with widespread shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. Officials insisted this was needed to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, but analysts argued a further measure to tighten control over the digital landscape. Action Against Messaging Platforms Regulators has also targeted popular messaging platforms. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were restricted in recently. Furthermore, officials prohibited voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, explaining the measure by claiming the platforms were being facilitating criminal activities. Simultaneously, authorities have heavily pushed a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called Max. Critics see it as a potential tool for oversight. The service admits it will provide user information with authorities when asked, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption. Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis According to lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework views any platform where users can message as an "information dissemination organizer". This label obligates that platforms register with the regulator and provide Russia's security service with access to user data. Services failing to do so are non-compliant and may be banned. Seleznev noted that possibly many millions of Russians had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after voice calls were prohibited on other messaging apps. He described the blocking of the Apple service as "expected" and stated that other platforms failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "are likely to be blocked – that's obvious." Entertainment Platforms Also Targeted In a separate development, the government announced it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, citing child protection from harmful content. According to research group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular gaming site in Russia recently, with nearly 8 million active users. Although it is still possible to bypass certain of these limitations by employing virtual private network services, such tools are routinely blocked by officials as well.