Russian Authorities Bans Snapchat and Limits Apple's FaceTime, Regulators Say
In a sustained campaign to increase oversight over internet access, state regulators have restricted access to the social media app Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.
Official Reasons for the Ban
The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor stated that the two apps were employed to plan and execute acts of terrorism within the country, for recruiting individuals and commit fraud and other crimes targeting Russian citizens.
Roskomnadzor stated it initiated the block on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, although the announcement was only made public more recently.
Wider Context of Internet Control
These new restrictions follow comparable blocks against key apps such as YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. These measures of bans began in earnest following the onset of the conflict of Ukraine.
Since Vladimir Putin, authorities have engaged in deliberate and comprehensive initiatives to rein in the open internet. Actions have involved:
- Passing tough new laws.
- Blocking websites and platforms that do not comply with state demands.
- Developing technical capabilities to track and influence online traffic.
Recent Instances of Blocks
Service for YouTube was slowed previously in what experts called targeted interference by the authorities. Russian officials pointed the finger at Google for failing to maintain its hardware in Russia.
Recently, officials limited internet access with extensive shutdowns of cellphone internet connections. The government claimed this was needed to prevent drone strikes, but critics argued a further measure to tighten control over the internet.
Targeting Messaging Platforms
Authorities has also moved against widely-used communication apps. The encrypted app Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in this year. Furthermore, officials banned calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the action by saying the platforms were being used for illegal activities.
Concurrently, the state have championed a dubbed "national" communication platform called Max. Observers see it as a possible surveillance tool. The app admits it will hand over data with the government when asked, and experts note it lacks strong encryption.
Legal Framework and Analyst Analysis
As explained by lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework classifies any platform where users can message as an "organizer of dissemination of information".
This label mandates that such services register with the regulator and grant Russia's security service with entry to communications. Those failing to comply are non-compliant and may be banned.
Seleznev noted that possibly a large number of Russians had been using FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He called the blocking of the service as "expected" and cautioned that further services that do not cooperate with authorities "will be blocked – that is clear."
Entertainment Platforms Too Affected
As another development, the government reported it was blocking Roblox, citing child protection from illicit content. Per data from research group Mediascope, Roblox was the number two gaming site in Russia in October, with nearly 8 million players.
Although it remains feasible to circumvent some of these blocks by using VPN services, those are also often blocked by the regulator as well.