UPDATE: Russian watchdog unblocks Chinese messenger WeChat

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MOSCOW, May 11 (PRIME) -- The Russian communications service has unblocked services of China’s WeChat, Norway’s Opera, and the U.S.’ Vimeo, the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media said Thursday in a statement.

“In response to requirements of the service, the companies Vimeo LLC, Opera Software AS, and WeChat International Pte. Ltd. submitted the information needed to add them to the register of organizers of information distribution. The companies were put on the list on May 3 and May 10, 2017, respectively. The limitation of access to information systems of WeChat International Pte. Ltd., imposed earlier, was lifted,” the authority said.

The service’s spokesperson Vadim Ampelonsky said on May 5 that the watchdog had blocked messenger WeChat and its Web site, because it did not provide contact data for the register.

Upon a request of law enforcement entities, the service sends a warrant to an organizer of information distribution, which should within five days provide the service with a notification with all the required contact information for cooperation.

In case of absence of response, the service sends a notice on disrespect to obligations of organizers of information distribution and gives the company 15 more working days to mend breaches. Further ignorance is punished with blocking of access to the company’s resources on the country’s territory.

The service’s register of organizers of information distribution now counts 80 companies.

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