LinkedIn may return to Russia in 2017

LinkedIn has been negotiating with the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Telecom, Information Technologies and Mass Communications (Roskomnadzor) on the conditions under which it can retain its Russian segment. The details have not been disclosed yet, however, it is already confirmed that the Russian ministry required LinkedIn to create an associated website that will comply with the country’s data safety legislation.

The company insists that the integral structure of the network is not supposed to have any country-based division, which makes it hardly possible to meet the demand of the Russian executive body. Meanwhile, it decided to take a break from argument in order to assess the significance of the Russian share which is now 2.4 million accounts of the global 430 million. If LinkedIn decides to make concessions, it will mean extra investments in equipment and hardware localization that will actually perform the same functions as the parent service, only for a restricted audience.

The parties will meet again next year to continue negotiations. On its behalf, Roskomnadzor said that in case a compromise is reached, the network may return on a local market in mid-2017.

LinkedIn was banned in Russia on November 17 after being accused of non-compliance with the country’s legislation.