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In a sustained crackdown to increase oversight over online communications, Russian authorities have cut off access to Snapchat and imposed restrictions on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Stated Reasons for the Restrictions

The state internet regulator Roskomnadzor alleged that the two apps were being used to facilitate and carry out terrorist activities inside Russia, for recruiting individuals and engage in fraudulent activities along with other offenses targeting Russian citizens.

Officials reported it took action on Snapchat back on the 10th of October, even though the move was publicly disclosed later.

Broader Context of Internet Control

These new restrictions come after comparable limitations imposed on key apps including YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of restrictions began in earnest in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

During the tenure of Vladimir Putin, the government have engaged in calculated and comprehensive initiatives to curtail the open internet. This has included:

• Passing restrictive laws.
• Banning digital platforms that fail to comply with state demands.
• Developing technical capabilities to observe and control digital communications.

Recent Instances of Blocks

Service for YouTube was throttled previously in what experts called targeted interference by the authorities. The Kremlin pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for allegedly neglecting its servers in Russia.

In recent months, authorities limited connectivity with widespread outages of mobile internet connections. Officials stated this was necessary to thwart drone strikes, but analysts contended another step to assert dominance over the digital landscape.

Action Against Messaging Platforms

Regulators has also moved against widely-used communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and another popular app, Viber, were blocked in recently. This year, officials outlawed voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, defending the ban by stating the platforms were being used for criminal activities.

Concurrently, the state have actively promoted a dubbed "domestic" communication platform called Max. Critics regard it as a potential tool for oversight. The platform openly declares it will hand over data with authorities upon request, and analysts note it is not equipped with end-to-end encryption.

Regulatory Basis and Expert Analysis

Per lawyer and expert Stanislav Seleznev, the legal framework defines any platform where people can communicate as an "organizer of dissemination of information".

This designation mandates that platforms have an account with Roskomnadzor and grant state security with entry to user data. Platforms that fail to do so are non-compliant and may be banned.

Seleznev estimated that potentially many millions of users in Russia had been relying on FaceTime, particularly after restrictions were placed on other messaging apps. He described the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and cautioned that further services refusing to comply with authorities "face blocking – that's obvious."

Entertainment Sites Too Affected

As another action, the authorities reported it was restricting the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was safeguarding minors from inappropriate material. According to media monitoring group Mediascope, the platform was the second most popular game platform in Russia recently, with approximately eight million monthly users.

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