MyHeritage, a genealogy platform based in Israel, has decided to suspend its services in Russia and delete the personal data of Russian users due to local regulations in the country. Clients received emails from the company informing them of this decision, with the company stating that they are required to stop providing services in Russia and hosting personal data of Russian users. The accounts and associated data of Russian clients will be permanently deleted by February 1, 2025. Users are encouraged to export their family tree data and DNA if they wish to keep it.
Established in 2003 by Israeli entrepreneur Gilad Japhet, MyHeritage offers genealogy services through an international records database and genetic testing. However, in 2022, Russian authorities fined MyHeritage 1.5 million rubles ($13,186) for not complying with laws that require user data to be stored on servers located in Russia. Russia’s data localization law applies to both domestic and foreign companies and has previously led to restrictions on platforms such as LinkedIn, which was blocked in 2016 for failing to comply with the regulations.
The decision by MyHeritage to suspend services in Russia and delete the personal data of Russian users is in response to the fines and regulations imposed by Russian authorities. The company did not respond immediately to a request for comment from The Moscow Times regarding this matter. MyHeritage’s move reflects the challenges faced by international companies operating in Russia due to strict data localization laws and the need to comply with local regulations.
The requirement for companies to store user data on servers located in Russia has resulted in various platforms facing difficulties in operating within the country. LinkedIn, for example, was blocked in 2016 for failing to comply with data localization laws. MyHeritage’s decision to suspend services and delete the personal data of Russian users highlights the complexities faced by international companies when operating in countries with strict data regulations and the impact of non-compliance on their operations.
Russian users of MyHeritage are advised to export their family tree data and DNA if they wish to retain it before the accounts and associated data are permanently deleted by February 1, 2025. The company’s decision to suspend services in Russia is a response to the fines imposed and the need to comply with local regulations regarding data storage. This move reflects the challenges faced by international companies in navigating complex data localization laws in different countries and the impact of non-compliance on their operations.
MyHeritage, founded by Gilad Japhet in 2003, offers genealogy services through an international records database and genetic testing. The decision to suspend services in Russia and delete the personal data of Russian users is a result of fines imposed by Russian authorities for non-compliance with data localization laws. The move underscores the challenges faced by international companies operating in Russia and other countries with strict data regulations, highlighting the importance of compliance with local laws to avoid penalties and restrictions on operations.
