Russia fines WhatsApp, Snap and others for storing user data abroad

FILE PHOTO: Broken Ethernet cable is seen in front of Russian flag and SnapChat logo in this illustration taken March 11, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

MOSCOW (Reuters) -A Russian court on Thursday fined Meta Platforms Inc's WhatsApp messenger, Snapchat owner Snap Inc and other foreign firms for their alleged refusal to store the data of Russian users domestically.

Moscow has clashed with Big Tech over content, censorship, data and local representation in disputes that have escalated since Russia sent its armed forces into Ukraine on Feb. 24.