Could they be blocked? Russia refuses to grant extension to Facebook & Twitter over demand to store citizens’ data inside country

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In 2016, another social network, LinkedIn, was blocked for refusing to follow the same law. Thus far, there seems to be no attempt to block Facebook and Twitter.

It is unlikely that these two websites will be restricted without any political decision, according to Karen Kazaryan, the director general of the Institute for Internet Research. Speaking to RBK, Kazaryan explained that “after the story with Telegram [a Russian-made instant messenger which fought a long battle with authorities in Moscow],” it would take someone to personally decide to block Facebook or Twitter.

READ MORE: Russia wants to ban latest encryption technology to prevent internet users bypassing state-imposed blocks & filters

In June 2020, Russia lifted its ban on Telegram after two years of failing to effectively restrict access.

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