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Russia upholds ban on LinkedIn

LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, may turn out to be the first casualty of Russia’s Federal Law On Personal Data, while Twitter and Facebook may follow

© Sergei Konkov/TASS

MOSCOW, November 10. /TASS/. The Moscow City Court on Thursday rejected the appeal of the world's largest professional network LinkedIn against its blocking in Russia.

A lower court earlier ruled to fulfill the Russian internet watchdog Roskomnadzor’s demand to ban LinkedIn for violating the law on personal data localization.

According to the company’s lawyer, LinkedIn Ireland, not the US-based LinkedIn Corporation, is responsible for processing data of users residing outside the United States.

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"Roskomnadzor has presented no evidence that the US-based LinkedIn Corporation is the defender in the case and is responsible for processing personal data of Russian users," the lawyer said.

She also said the network does not work in Russia and does not identify users by their residence.

However, a Roskomnadzor representative insisted that LinkedIn Corporation as the domain name administrator was responsible for all information and services offered by the social media network.

LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, may turn out to be the first casualty of Russia’s Federal Law On Personal Data.

According to the country’s Internet watchdog, the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Telecom, Information Technologies and Mass Communications, LinkedIn did not transfer its servers to Russia. Moreover, it collects and transmits information on citizens that do not use LinkedIn, without their consent, the watchdog stated.

According to the federal agency, the activities of LinkedIn include collecting, using, storing and transferring citizens’ personal data, which violates Russia’s legislation. Due to the fact that LinkedIn has no official representative office in Russia, the federal watchdog took legal action requesting the court to restrict access to this network.

Meanwhile, Russian Presidential Adviser for Internet Issues, German Klimenko, earlier told the Kommersant that, "if the Federal Service… wins and blocks (LinkedIn), that will be a signal for those companies that did not transfer (Russians’ personal data). This also concerns Facebook, Twitter and all foreign companies."

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