Recently, Roskomnadzor restricted access to Shutterstock, one of the world’s largest stock photo platforms, a move confirmed by Fotodom, the exclusive representative for Shutterstock in Russia and the broader Commonwealth of Independent States. The interruption in service drew attention from media outlets and industry professionals as users in Russia encountered difficulties reaching the site in mid February. Fotodom described the blockage as a result of Roskomnadzor taking a selective approach to content on the platform, citing material that failed to meet current regulatory standards as the reason for the action.
Fotodom stated that Shutterstock’s leadership promptly removed the disputed material and notified the Russian editorial team. The company asserted that operations on the Russian market would be restored within approximately three days, noting that the exact items that prompted the intervention were not disclosed publicly. This description aligns with a pattern of episodic access restrictions experienced by Shutterstock in the region, according to Fotodom. The firm also recalled a prior interruption that occurred several months earlier and was resolved quickly at that time, suggesting a recurring regulatory friction rather than a sustained outage.
Industry observers have pointed to Roskomnadzor as the central authority shaping access to digital resources in Russia. The recent episode with Shutterstock is cited as an example of how content compliance requirements can directly influence the availability of international services. While the specifics of the blocked material remain undisclosed, the incident underscores the ongoing tension between global platforms and regional regulators over permissible content and data handling practices. Retailers, creators, and publishers relying on Shutterstock in the region will be watching closely for a lasting resolution and for any official statements clarifying permissible content standards. This pattern has also sparked discussions about how similar blocks may affect information flow, creative workflows, and market access for foreign media services, as noted by industry commentators and coverage cited in contemporary reports. [Citation: Fotodom via Sostav; industry commentary]