Russia opens case against Google for violating personal data law

MOSCOW, June 30 (Reuters) – Russia has opened administrative proceedings against Google for failing to store the personal data of Russian users in databases on Russian territory, a move that could result in a fine for the internet giant. technology, communications regulator Roskomnadzor said on Wednesday.

Roskomnadzor said he is also waiting for Facebook (FB.O) and Twitter (TWTR.N) to respond to a request to locate similar data by July 1 or face fines, as part of the broader efforts. of Moscow to exercise greater control over Big Tech. Read more

Russia has imposed a punitive Twitter slowdown since March for failing to remove content Moscow deems illegal and is considering legislation that would require foreign tech companies to open offices in Russia or face sanctions such as bans advertising. Read more

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia is not considering blocking any foreign social media sites, but hopes that Russian social media will provide opportunities for creative and talented people to flourish.

“We don’t intend to block anyone, we want to work with them, but there are problems, which lie in the fact that they fire us when they do not respect our demands and the law. Russian, “Putin said on a live. question-and-answer session broadcast by state television.

Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O), did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

He could be fined up to 6 million rubles ($ 82,060) for non-compliance, Roskomnadzor said.

These administrative cases are usually heard by a Moscow district court.

About 600 foreign companies have located data in Russia, a list which Roskomnadzor says includes Apple, Samsung and PayPal.

Microsoft’s LinkedIn is blocked in Russia after a court found it violated the data storage rule, passed in 2015, which required all data on Russian citizens to be stored in the country.

($ 1 = 73.1175 rubles)

Reporting by Maria Kiselyova, Anastasia Teterevleva, Oksana Kobzeva and Alexander Marrow; Editing by Mark Potter

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