Russia could block access to Facebook and Twitter if the social media companies fail to fulfil its demand to move data on Russian users to servers located within the country, officials have warned.
Alexander Zharov, the head of Roskomnadzor, Russia’s communications watchdog, said the western companies had nine months to bring their operations in line with Russian internet security laws. “They’ve been given time to comply,” he said.
A law approved in 2014 by Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, requires domestic and foreign companies to store the personal data of Russian citizens on servers in Russia. Those who refuse can be fined or prevented from operating in the country. In 2016, Russia blocked LinkedIn, the professional networking website.
Last week, Moscow ordered Facebook and Twitter to pay fines of 3,000 roubles (£36) over their refusal to obey the law, a move that was mocked by social media users. However, the fine was the minimum allowed under the law, and Zharov warned that the scale of punishments would steadily increase.
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Source: Facebook and Twitter could be blocked in Russia in data storage row | World news | The Guardian