Russia opens case against WhatsApp over violating personal data law

Russia has launched administrative proceedings against WhatsApp for failing to localise data of Russian users on Russian territory, the Interfax news agency reported.

WhatsApp could be fined between $13,700-$82,250, the agency reported citing court documents. Earlier this week, Russia had fined Google $41,017 for violating personal data legislation. However, there was no immediate comment from Facebook.

A day earlier, a Russian court fined Alphabet Inc.’s Google 3 million roubles for violating personal data legislation and registered administrative proceedings against Facebook and Twitter for the same offence.

The cases are part of a wider spat between Russia and Big Tech, with Moscow routinely fining social media giants for failing to remove banned content and seeking to compel foreign tech firms to open offices in Russia.