Watchdog says Facebook, Twitter must localize databases in Dec–Jan

SOCHI, Sep 24 (PRIME) -- The time given by the Russian communications service to Facebook and Twitter to localize data of the country’s citizens expires in late December–early January 2020, the authority’s head Alexander Zharov told PRIME on Tuesday.

“(Nine months) expire in late December–early January,” Zharov said. The watchdog is waiting for confirmation by the U.S. companies of respect of the law on localization of databases with information of Russian citizens.

A bill imposing sizable fines on Internet companies for non-fulfillment of the country’s law is being considered.

“I’m eagerly waiting for it, because I’m sure that economic leverage is much more effective than blocking, which we’d like to avoid given the companies’ audience,” Zharov said.

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