Moscow Enforces Ban on Apple FaceTime and Snapchat to Tighten Online Surveillance

Post by : Raina Nasser

In a significant escalation of internet control, Russian authorities have restricted access to Apple’s video call service FaceTime and the messaging application Snapchat. The state internet watchdog, Roskomnadzor, asserted that these platforms were allegedly “utilized for orchestrating and executing terrorist actions, recruiting offenders, engaging in fraud, and other unlawful acts against citizens.” Apple has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this restriction.

The ban on Snapchat took effect on October 10, though it was only brought to public attention on Thursday. This move is part of President Vladimir Putin’s broader initiative to impose strict regulations on internet platforms, which includes blocking non-compliant websites and enacting laws aimed at regulating online media.

Since Russia's incursion into Ukraine in 2022, major social networks like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have been banned within the nation. Internet connectivity has often been deliberately throttled, with regional outages enforced under the pretext of ensuring security against supposed Ukrainian drone threats; experts argue these efforts are primarily aimed at tightening information control. Virtual private networks (VPNs), commonly utilized to navigate around such limits, are routinely obstructed.

Messaging applications are particularly scrutinized by the Russian government. Encrypted platforms such as Signal and Viber were prohibited in 2024, followed by WhatsApp and Telegram in the years that followed. Roskomnadzor has cited criminal behavior as the rationale for these restrictions. Concurrently, the government has endorsed its own “national” messenger, MAX, which permits users to send messages, access governmental services, and facilitate payments. Critics assert that MAX functions as a surveillance tool, permitting authorities access to user data and lacking robust encryption.

Earlier in the week, Russian authorities also decided to block Roblox, a popular gaming platform, due to concerns regarding inappropriate content and child safety in game chats. Roblox had secured its position as the second most favored gaming platform in the nation during October, boasting nearly eight million monthly users.

Cybersecurity expert Stanislav Seleznev, affiliated with the Net Freedom rights group, articulated that Russian law designates any platform facilitating user communication as an “organizer of dissemination of information.” Such platforms are mandated to register with Roskomnadzor and must grant the Federal Security Service (FSB) access to monitor user accounts. Non-compliance could result in a ban, a regulation likely imposed on both Roblox and FaceTime.

Seleznev further pointed out that millions of Russians might have resorted to FaceTime after WhatsApp and Telegram calls were prohibited, labeling the government’s new restrictions as “foreseeable” and cautioning that additional non-compliant platforms could face similar fates.

These recent bans underscore the tightening grip of the Russian government on online communications, reducing citizens' access to global messaging and video call platforms. Analysts propose that these measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to control the flow of information and preserve state oversight over digital platforms throughout the country.