Russia Issues Block on LinkedIn; Wages Threats Towards Facebook and Twitter
Russia's data localization laws, enacted to address concerns about state security and personal data leakage, have significantly affected the operations of international tech companies within the country.
Since July 2014, personal data of Russian citizens must be stored exclusively on servers within Russia, as part of broader digital sovereignty efforts. As of July 1, 2025, stricter rules for storing personal data have come into effect, further emphasizing the need for data to enter Russian databases before any international transfers. Non-compliance can result in fines and potential blacklisting, as Google learned in 2024 when it faced a $345 million penalty.
The impact of these policies has been felt by several international tech companies. LinkedIn was blocked in Russia in 2016 due to non-compliance with data localization laws, and the block remains in place. Facebook and WhatsApp, while still operational, have faced regulatory pressure, as has Twitter, which has been fined and criticized over content moderation. Pinterest and Apple, on the other hand, have largely complied with Russian regulations to ensure their continued operation in the market.
Some companies, such as Telegram, have resisted full compliance but have begun the process of opening a physical office in Russia, potentially signalling a shift towards greater compliance with local regulations. Google, TikTok, and others have taken steps to comply, though the extent of compliance varies. Establishing a local presence in Russia is often a requirement for avoiding legal penalties.
The new bill in Russia's lower house of parliament allows the government to designate media outlets, journalists, bloggers, and social media users as 'foreign agents'. The bill does not censor the content of the designated 'foreign agents', but requires them to disclose their funding sources. The bill's passage, which occurred one day before Russia's annual Day of Journalists, has raised concerns about press freedom in Russia.
The legality of activities such as scraping, crawling, botting, and creating fake profiles for data harvesting remains unclear. Companies are reluctant to comply with the law due to concerns about handing over users' personal information to law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Violations of the law can result in fines, blockages, and placement on Roskomnadzor's blacklist.
In a recent development, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed charges against Anthony Fields, an Illinois-based investment adviser, for attempting to sell $500 billion of fictitious securities on social media websites, including LinkedIn. LinkedIn, with over 400 million users worldwide and 2.6 million in Russia, continues to face challenges in the Russian market.
As Russia's data localization laws continue to evolve, international tech companies must adapt to these regulations or face the consequences of non-compliance.
- The passage of the new bill in Russia's lower house of parliament, which designates media outlets, journalists, bloggers, and social media users as 'foreign agents,' has raised concerns in the technology industry about the potential impact on press freedom and content moderation, as companies face increased scrutiny and regulatory pressure.
- The evolution of Russia's data localization laws has created a complex legal landscape for international tech companies, particularly in relation to activities such as scraping, crawling, botting, and creating fake profiles for data harvesting, as they face the challenge of balancing compliance with privacy concerns and potential penalties for non-compliance.
