SUMMARY
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BEIJING, China – Chinese internet giant Tencent said Saturday, May 6, it was “deeply sorry” its messaging app WeChat was blocked in Russia, adding it was in touch with authorities to resolve the issue.
WeChat, which had 889 million global users by the end of 2016, was not properly registered with Russian regulators, Tencent said. (READ: Tencent profits up on mobile gaming success)
It is not clear how many Russia-based users the app has.
“We’re experiencing a block and we’re deeply sorry,” a company official said on a Tencent microblog.
“Russian regulations say online service providers have to register with the government but WeChat doesn’t have the same understanding (of the rules),” the official added.
A law passed in 2014 requires foreign messaging services, search engines and social networking sites to store the personal data of Russian users inside Russia.
Sites that breach the law are added to a blacklist and internet providers are obliged to block access.
The law prompted criticism from internet companies but entered into force in September 2015, with professional networking site LinkedIn blocked after it was found to have broken the law.
WeChat, known as Weixin in China, is more than just a messaging app. (READ: Be careful who you chat: tips on using messaging apps)
It offers payment, ride-hailing and other services and Tencent has ambitions to spread it far beyond its home country.– Rappler.com
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