Roskomnadzor Lists Shutterfly as Prohibited Content in Russia Over Child Safety Concerns
Roskomnadzor has designated the American photo hosting service Shutterfly as forbidden information in Russia, a move announced by the press service of the agency through TASS. The decision follows findings that material hosted on Shutterfly included content deemed illegal, specifically child pornography, according to the agency’s assessment.
Officials from Roskomnadzor state that 37 items identified in Shutterfly’s online database fall into the category of prohibited content. The agency has signaled that access to Shutterfly for Russian internet users could be restricted if the service’s administrators do not remove all detected illegal materials within a 24-hour window. This action reflects Russia’s broader online safety and content control framework, which hinges on swift removal of material that violates local laws.
Shutterfly is an American service launched in 1999 that offers photo hosting as well as printed photo orders. Its headquarters are located in Redwood City, California, and the company has been a notable player in digital photo storage and printing for years. In 2018, Shutterfly was valued at approximately $2.3 billion, reflecting its scale and market reach in the digital media space.
Historically in Russia, other digital services with social and dating features have emerged, including platforms offering short audio dating formats. One such service, beleaguered by regulatory scrutiny in recent years, illustrates the evolving landscape of online dating and social interaction within the country. The current matter with Shutterfly sits alongside these trends as Russia continues to regulate online content in line with national standards for safety and legality.