Russia's federal censor says Facebook and Twitter have responded to data-localization demands

Last month, Russia’s federal censor, Roskomnadzor, sent formal letters to Facebook and Twitter, demanding that the social networks report on their compliance with Russian regulations requiring companies to store Russian users’ data on servers located inside Russia. If they refused, both companies faced small fines of 5,000 rubles ($75), though Roskomnadzor was careful to point out that it has no current plans to block the social-media giants.

On January 18, the agency announced that it has received answers from both Facebook and Twitter. The agency says it is currently reviewing the information and will issue a statement on January 21.

Despite a headline from the state news agency TASS that read “Facebook and Twitter Provide Roskomnadzor With Evidence of Russian Users’ Data Localization On Schedule,” the same outlet later revealed that Twitter’s response actually notified Russian officials that the company’s representatives can’t visit Moscow in January. Nothing more is known about the responses sent to Russian officials.

• In early December, Russia’s censor fined Google 500,000 rubles ($7,530) for refusing to delete search-result hyperlinks to content banned in Russia.
• Since September 2015, Russia has required certain companies that collect citizens’ personal data to store the information on servers located inside Russia.