LinkedIn was banned in Russia

27. January 2017

The Russian data protection authority “Roskomnadzor” sent on November, 17 2016 an order to the telecommunication companies to block access to LinkedIn within Russia. The reason for this step was, according to Roskomnadzor, that LinkedIn does not protect subjects’ data rights in a way that complies with the Russian data protection law.

The order of Roskomnadzor refers to a Moscow District court decision from August, 4 2016.

The case of LinkedIn is the first major test of the Russian law, which is on effect since September, 1 2015.

Roskomnadzor judges, that LinkedIn not only violates against the data localization requirement furthermore LinkedIn also violates a number of other requirements such as collecting personal data from non-users without their consent before they complete the registration process.

Now LinkedIn can take action against this decision within the six-month period to the Moscow Court and then appeal to the Russian Supreme Court. However, LinkedIn has not announced its intentions yet.