Russian authorities have escalated their campaign to control online communications by blocking the social media platform Snapchat and imposing restrictions on Apple's video calling service, FaceTime. The country's state-run news agencies and communications watchdog announced the move, framing it as a necessary step to combat illegal activities.
Regulator Cites Terrorism and Fraud as Justification
The state internet regulator, Roskomnadzor, issued a statement alleging that both applications were being exploited to "organise and conduct terrorist activities" within Russia. The agency further claimed the platforms were used for recruiting perpetrators, committing fraud, and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.
While the public announcement was made on a Thursday, Roskomnadzor revealed that action against Snapchat was actually taken back on 10 October. Neither Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, nor Apple provided an immediate comment in response to the regulator's allegations.
Part of a Broader Pattern of Digital Control
These restrictions represent the latest in a series of measures implemented since President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Russian government has systematically targeted major foreign tech platforms, having previously imposed restrictions on services like Google's YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging app.
Under Putin's leadership, authorities have pursued a deliberate, multi-faceted strategy to rein in the internet. This includes passing restrictive laws, banning non-compliant websites, and refining technology to monitor and manipulate online traffic. Last year, access to YouTube was disrupted in what experts identified as deliberate throttling by the state, though the Kremlin blamed Google for hardware maintenance issues.
Messaging Apps and "National" Alternatives
The crackdown has extended deeply into private communications. In 2024, the encrypted messenger Signal and the popular app Viber were blocked. This year, authorities went further by banning voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, Russia's two most widely used messaging services, with Roskomnadzor again citing their use for criminal activities.
Concurrently, the state has actively promoted a domestic alternative called "Max". Touted as a one-stop shop for messaging, government services, and payments, critics view it as a surveillance tool. The platform openly states it will share user data with authorities upon request and, according to experts, does not employ end-to-end encryption.
Stanislav Seleznev, a cyber security expert and lawyer with the Net Freedom rights group, explained the legal mechanism. Russian law labels any platform enabling user messaging as an "organiser of dissemination of information". This requires them to register with Roskomnadzor and provide the FSB security service with access to user accounts for monitoring. Failure to comply leads to blocking.
Seleznev estimated that tens of millions of Russians had turned to FaceTime, especially after the call bans on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions on the Apple service as "predictable" and warned that other non-compliant sites would inevitably face the same fate.
The government's reach also extends to entertainment. Earlier in the week, officials stated they were blocking the popular online game platform Roblox, claiming the move protected children from illicit content and predators. According to media monitor Mediascope, Roblox was the second most popular game platform in Russia as of October, with nearly 8 million monthly users.
These digital controls are complemented by physical measures. This summer saw widespread shutdowns of mobile internet in many regions, officially to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks but viewed by experts as another step in tightening control. Dozens of regions have also introduced "white lists" of government-approved sites that remain accessible during such shutdowns.
While some Russians use virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent blocks, these services are themselves routinely targeted and blocked by the authorities, closing off remaining avenues for unrestricted access to the global internet.
