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Weekly Lists
January 26, 2018 www.intellinews.com I Page 24
bne:TMT Russia softens data
storage law
Russian government will take into account the complaints concern- ing the controversial "Yarovaya Law" data storage law and revise some of its requirements, Kommersant daily said on January 22 citing a letter from the Ministry of Communication.
The legislation, authored by lawmaker Irina Yarovaya, requires that operators store recordings of users’ calls and online activities for six months under measures ostensibly aimed at combating extremism and terrorism.
The availability of stored data to Russian security services has raised concerns about civil liberties, could conflict with EU regulations, and will burden telecom companies with an estimated $1.5bn in costs that would cause 0.5-1.0x of additional leverage.
Now the government is likely to revise the necessary storage capacity downwards and could postpone the enacting of the law from July to October 2018, according to Kommersant.
Russia’s Mail.ru Group will purchase 100% of leading online sports store ESforce in an all-cash transaction for $100mn less any outstanding debt, the company said on January 23.
ESforce is one of the largest eSports companies in the world, and is the largest in Russia and Eastern Europe.
The eSport holding hosts various world championships, owns more than 180 online resources to host 80% of live eSports broadcasts
in Russia and the CIS, and covers an important part of the interna- tional eSports audience.
“We consider the deal a long-term positive for the Mail.Ru Group as it will reinforce the company's positioning in the ESport market, help to cross-monetise users, and widen its advertising inventory,” Aton Capital said in a note.
Mail.ru buys online sports store ESforce