The court of the capital’s Tagansky district, sitting in the 422nd jurisdiction, imposed a substantial penalty on the Twitch streaming platform for its decision not to localize Russian publications and user data. The ruling, delivered on Monday, September 4, resulted in a fine exceeding 10 million rubles as a sanction for noncompliance with localization requirements. This information comes from DEA News, which covered the decision and its implications for data handling and regional content access.
In the official statement from the Metropolitan Court, the repeated nature of the refusal to comply with localization obligations was emphasized. The court underscored that Twitch Interactive, Inc. had repeatedly declined to provide a localized version of content and to safeguard user data in a way that adheres to Russian regulatory standards, a factor that the judiciary deemed a recurring administrative violation rather than a one-off misstep.
Judge Timur Vakhrameev addressed the matter, noting that the actions constituted an administrative offense in line with Part 9 of Article 13.11 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. The court described the conduct as a disregard for local legal requirements regarding information localization and data protection, which the state views as essential for safeguarding resident users and ensuring transparency in cross-border streaming services.
The final verdict set the total penalty at 13 million rubles, reflecting the court’s assessment of the seriousness and persistence of the violations. The proceedings revealed that the Twitch representative did not attend the courtroom in person; instead, only the company’s counsel and the representatives from the Russian regulator were present to present the case and respond to questions from the bench. This absence was noted by the court as part of the procedural record for the administrative action.
Previously, there had been an interaction with another notable platform, Wikipedia, which faced a separate order following a 2 million ruble fine. In that instance, the court demanded the removal of articles related to several military units, including the 74th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade and the 138th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, among others. The case illustrated the broader regulatory framework in which online information platforms operate in Russia, where public-interest content and military-related material can become flashpoints for legal action when localization and content moderation policies are involved.
In the broader security and user-protection context, observers have noted that authorities in Russia maintain a strict stance on data localization, arguing that keeping user information within the national jurisdiction helps ensure compliance with local laws, enhances authority over cross-border platforms, and improves accountability in content dissemination. The Twitch decision is often cited in discussions about how streaming services balance global operations with regional regulatory regimes and user privacy expectations across the region. Analysts have pointed out that such penalties signal the country’s willingness to enforce domestic data requirements and content localization as a standard practice for international platforms operating within its borders.
Meanwhile, public discourse on cybersecurity has highlighted recurring claims about password vulnerabilities in widely used online services. While those reports emphasize general risk awareness, authorities stress that robust authentication and localization measures are part of a broader set of obligations designed to protect users from cross-border data flows that bypass local safeguards. The case around Twitch serves as a concrete reminder that regulatory adherence is not only a legal matter but also a matter of user trust and operational continuity for foreign-based platforms serving the Russian market. Observers expect further clarifications from regulators as enforcement efforts continue to evolve in response to technological advancements and regional policy updates. [citation: DEA News]
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