WhatsApp gets its first fine for refusing to localize Russian users’ data

The messaging platform WhatsApp has been fined 4 million rubles ($53,880) for refusing to localize Russian users’ data on the territory of the Russian Federation. This is the first such fine handed down to WhatsApp.

Citing Russia’s censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, Interfax reported on Thursday, August 26, that Facebook and Twitter were also fined for repeatedly refusing to localize Russian users’ data. Facebook was fined 15 million rubles ($201,975) and Twitter — 17 million rubles ($290,444). 

Russia’s law on “personal data” forbids companies from storing the personal data of Russian users outside of the country. According to Roskomnadzor, approximately 600 representative offices of foreign tech companies have localized Russian users’ personal data so far. This includes the likes of Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, PayPal, and LG. 

The Russian authorities banned the social network LinkedIn for violating the law on “personal data” in 2016.