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Russia's new law on personal data: difficulties for operators, tranquillity for Russians

Under the new law, both Russian and foreign companies must store personal data of Russians in Russia

MOSCOW, September 1. /TASS/. The new law On Personal Data, one of the most talked about in recent years, enters into force on Tuesday. It requires storing Russians’ personal data on servers in Russia. Businesses say additional expenditures will be needed to ensure compliance with this law, and so far not all foreign Internet companies have expressed their willingness to fulfil the new requirements. Users are concerned over the possible loss of their usual resources and services. The country’s authorities promise that the new law will not affect Russians in any way, and checks will not be massive at the initial stage.

Under the new law, both Russian and foreign companies must store personal data of Russians in Russia. The law does not define a specific list of data that are considered personal.

Companies failing to comply with the requirement will have to pay a fine, depending on a related article in the Code of Administrative Offences. The fine for legal entities may reach $308. The law does not provide for the suspension of operation. "At the moment it is planned to significantly increase the penalties under Article 13.11 [Violation of the law on the collection, storage, use or dissemination of information on citizens] the current maximum size of which is $154," Director of the Russian Association for Electronic communications (RAEC) Sergey Plugotarenko told TASS.