Russian court fines Tinder, Twitch for refusing to localise data

MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Russian court fined Match Group, the operator of Tinder, 10 million roubles ($104,000) and streaming service Twitch 13 million roubles ($135,000) for repeatedly failing to localize data in accordance with Russian law.

This ruling comes as part of Russia’s ongoing efforts to enforce its sovereignty over online activities and data. The country has been taking steps to ensure that foreign tech companies comply with its regulations, especially regarding data storage and user privacy.

In this case, both Tinder and Twitch were found guilty of not localizing their data, which means they did not store Russian users’ information within the country. This violates a law that was implemented in 2014, requiring companies to store personal data of Russian citizens on local servers.

Match Group, the parent company of Tinder, was fined 10 million roubles, while Twitch, a popular streaming platform, was fined 13 million roubles.

These fines may seem insignificant considering the size of the companies involved, but they serve as a warning to other tech giants operating in Russia. The country has shown its determination to enforce its regulations and will not hesitate to penalize companies that fail to comply.

Foreign tech companies are facing increasing pressure to adapt to the laws and regulations of the countries in which they operate. Countries like Russia are not alone in their efforts to control and regulate online activities, as governments worldwide are taking steps to protect their citizens’ data and assert their authority in the digital sphere. This trend is likely to continue as more countries develop their own regulations and tech companies face a growing number of legal challenges.

As for Match Group and Twitch, they now have to decide whether to appeal the ruling or make the necessary changes to comply with Russian law. Failure to do so could lead to further penalties or even being banned from operating within the country.

The fines imposed on Match Group and Twitch also serve as a reminder to other foreign tech companies operating in Russia that they must take the country’s regulations seriously and prioritize compliance. Ignoring or disregarding these laws could result in significant financial loss and damage to their reputation.

($1 = 96.4950 roubles)

(Reporting by Reuters; writing by Felix Light)