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As part of a ongoing crackdown to tighten control over digital platforms, Russian officials have blocked access to Snapchat and placed curbs on the Apple video calling service, FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Block

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor alleged that both applications were utilized to plan and execute acts of terrorism on Russian soil, for recruiting individuals and carry out fraud and other crimes against citizens.

Officials stated it took action against Snapchat in early October, even though the move was only made public more recently.

Wider Context of Online Restrictions

These latest moves are part of comparable limitations against popular services like YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. The campaign of bans intensified following the 2022 military action of Ukraine by Russia.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have undertaken calculated and comprehensive initiatives to control the digital space. Actions have involved:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Banning online services that fail to comply with local rules.
• Perfecting systems to monitor and manipulate online traffic.

Other Instances of Blocks

Service for the YouTube platform was slowed previously in what experts called targeted interference by officials. Russian officials pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its servers in Russia.

In recent months, authorities further restricted connectivity with broad shutdowns of cellular data connections. Officials stated this was needed to prevent drone strikes, but critics saw it as a further measure to tighten control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Apps

Authorities has also targeted widely-used messaging platforms. The encrypted app Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in recently. Furthermore, authorities outlawed calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the ban by stating the two apps were being facilitating criminal activities.

Concurrently, authorities have heavily pushed a dubbed "national" messenger app called Max. Experts regard it as a possible tool for oversight. The app explicitly states it will share user data with the government when asked, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Analyst Commentary

Per cyber security expert Stanislav Seleznev, regulations defines any service where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This classification obligates that such services register with Roskomnadzor and provide the FSB with entry to user data. Platforms that fail to do so are in violation and face blocking.

Seleznev pointed out that possibly many millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He called the blocking of the service as "predictable" and cautioned that other sites failing to cooperate with Roskomnadzor "will be blocked – that's obvious."

Entertainment Platforms Also Affected

As another move, the authorities reported it was banning Roblox, claiming it aimed at child protection from inappropriate material. Per data from media monitoring group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia recently, with approximately eight million players.

Although it remains feasible to bypass certain of these limitations by utilizing VPN services, such tools are also often blocked by officials as well.