Russia opens administrative proceedings against Facebook and Twitter

Russia’s Roskomnadzor said Monday that it has opened administrative proceedings against Facebook and Twitter.
The regulator said the social networks didn’t explain how and when they would localize Russian users’ personal data.

Russia’s communication watchdog opened administrative proceedings against Facebook and Twitter for failing to comply with local data laws.

Roskomnadzor, the regulator, said on Monday that the two social networks did not explain how and when they would comply with legislation requiring them to store Russian users’ personal data on servers in Russia.

The news was first reported by Russia’s Interfax news agency.

“The companies managing the social networks of Facebook and Twitter provided formal answers to our demands to confirm the localization of personal data of Russian users in Russia,” Roskomnadzor told CNBC in an emailed comment Monday.

“They do not contain specifics about the actual implementation of the legislation at the current moment, nor about the timing of the implementation of these standards in the future.”

The watchdog added: “In this regard, today Roskomnadzor begins administrative proceedings against both companies.”

A Facebook spokesperson said the company is “in touch with relevant Russian governmental bodies regarding its activities in Russia.” Twitter declined to comment.

Russia has tightened its internet laws over the last five years, adding requirements for search engines to censor results, messaging apps to share their encryption keys and social media firms to store data on Russians on local servers.

The new rules provide the Russian government with the ability to block websites that illegally process Russian citizens’ personal data. The communications regulator can also issue small fines to firms that fall foul of its data laws. A recent report said the country planned to impose harsher fines.

Source: CNBC