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In a ongoing crackdown to tighten control over digital platforms, Russian authorities have restricted access to Snapchat and enacted limitations on the Apple FaceTime service, Apple FaceTime.

Official Reasons for the Ban

The regulatory body Roskomnadzor stated that both applications were utilized to facilitate and carry out acts of terrorism inside Russia, to recruit perpetrators and engage in fraudulent activities and other crimes aimed at the populace.

Officials said it initiated the block targeting Snapchat on October 10, although the move was only reported later.

Broader Context of Online Restrictions

This recent action follow similar limitations targeting major platforms including YouTube, Meta's WhatsApp and Instagram, and the Telegram messaging service. This wave of restrictions intensified after the 2022 military action of Ukraine.

Since Vladimir Putin, Russian officials have pursued deliberate and multi-pronged initiatives to control the internet. Actions have involved:

• Adopting tough new laws.
• Blocking websites and platforms that do not comply with state demands.
• Developing technical capabilities to track and influence internet traffic.

Recent Instances of Restrictions

Service for YouTube was slowed previously in an incident described as intentional slowing by the authorities. The Kremlin pointed the finger at YouTube's owner, Google for not properly maintaining its servers in Russia.

In recent months, officials further restricted connectivity with broad outages of cellphone internet connections. The government insisted this was necessary to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts contended another step to increase control over the internet.

Targeting Communication Apps

Authorities has also targeted popular communication apps. Encrypted messenger Signal and the Viber service, Viber, were banned in this year. Additionally, authorities banned calls via the WhatsApp app and Telegram, justifying the ban by stating the two apps were being involved in illegal activities.

Concurrently, the state have heavily pushed a so-called "domestic" communication platform called "Max". Experts view it as a possible tool for oversight. The service explicitly states it will hand over data with the government when asked, and analysts note it lacks strong encryption.

Legal Framework and Analyst Commentary

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

This classification obligates that platforms register with the regulator and allow the FSB with the ability to monitor user data. Those failing to meet these demands are breaking the law and may be banned.

Seleznev pointed out that possibly a large number of Russians had been turning to FaceTime, especially after voice calls were prohibited on WhatsApp and Telegram. He described the restrictions against the service as "predictable" and cautioned that other platforms that do not cooperate with authorities "will be blocked – it is inevitable."

Gaming Sites Also Affected

In a related action, the government reported it was banning the online game platform Roblox, stating the reason was protecting children from inappropriate material. According to research group Mediascope, Roblox was the second-largest game platform in Russia last month, with approximately eight million monthly users.

While it remains feasible to bypass certain of these restrictions by employing virtual private network services, VPNs themselves are also often blocked by the regulator as well.