Watchdog names 13 foreign firms that must open offices in Russia

MOSCOW, Nov 23 (PRIME) -- The Russian communications service has ordered 13 foreign companies that own 22 information resources, including Google, YouTube, Apple, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, Telegram, Zoom and Viber to open a representative office, a branch or a local firm in the country from 2022, the authority said late on Monday in a statement.

The list also includes Google Play, YouTube Music, Google Chat, Gmail; iCloud, App Store, Apple Music; TikTok; Spotify; Likeme Pte. (Likee); Discord; Pinterest; and Twitch.

They must also place an electronic form of feedback for Russian users on their website, register an account on the website of the communications service for interaction with the government, and install a recommended traffic counter on the information resource.

The foreign companies must limit access to the information violating the country’s laws.

End %%ee/jst%%