Russia blocked access to LinkedIn as it was in violation of a law requiring that the data of Russian users is stored in Russia. This follows a court ruling last week. There are 6 million registered users in Russia.
Russia’s communications regulator Roskomnadzor said LinkedIn would be unavailable in the country within 24 hours.
Some internet providers have already cut access to the site, which has more than six million members in Russia.
In 2014, Russia introduced legislation requiring social networks to store the personal data of Russian citizens on Russian web servers.
It is the first time the law has been enforced against a US-based social network.
LinkedIn said it hoped to meet Roskomnadzor to discuss the block.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in Moscow that Roskomnadzor was acting strictly in accordance with Russian law.
He added that the Kremlin had no intention of intervening in the situation.
A LinkedIn spokesman said: “Roskomnadzor’s action to block LinkedIn denies access to the millions of members we have in Russia and the companies that use LinkedIn to grow their businesses.
“We remain interested in a meeting with Roskomnadzor to discuss their data localisation request.”
Roskomnadzor spokesman Vadim Ampelonsky told the Interfax news agency that the regulator was working out the logistics of the meeting.
Takeaways
This is a warning to all providers of services – when it comes to data make sure you comply with the regulations of the market you are providing a service in.
