Russia will force Facebook and Twitter to keep data on its citizens within the country

Social media services like Facebook and Twitter will need to have databases of Russian users kept in Russia by July or face fines. The news was first reported by Interfax news agency, citing communications regulator Roskomnadzor as saying on Wednesday. Russia is considering legislation that would force foreign technology companies to open offices in Russia or face penalties such as advertising bans, as part of Moscow's wider efforts to exert greater control over Big Tech. Google and Facebook were fined on Tuesday for failing to delete content Moscow deems illegal, while Twitter has been the victim of a punitive slowdown since March. Facebook, Twitter and others must localise their databases of Russian users by July 1 or face a fine of up to 18 million roubles ($245,100) for non-compliance, the deputy head of Roskomnadzor Milos Wagner was cited as saying on Wednesday.