According to the Interfax news agency, Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor said on Wednesday that Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms must have databases of Russian users on Russian territory by July 1 or face fines.
As part of Moscow’s broader efforts to exercise much more control over Big Tech, Russia is considering legislation that would force foreign technology companies to open offices in Russia or face penalties in the form of advertising bans.
On Tuesday, Google and Facebook were fined for failing to remove content that Moscow deems illegal, while Twitter has been slowed since March, Reuters reports, citing Interfax.
According to the deputy head of Roskomnadzor Milos Wagner, Facebook, Twitter, and other companies’ databases of Russian users must be localized by July 1 or be penalized up to 18 million rubles ($245,100) if they do not comply.
