Russia obstructs access to LinkedIn social network

Following a series of deliberations at courts in Moscow, Russia's communications regulator has started blocking access to the online network for professionals LinkedIn. The step is being taken under a law that requires websites to store personal data in databases within servers on Russian soil, TechCrunch magazine said Thursday. The report added that LinkedIn has yet to receive permission to use its network in China so it set up a new one that is in line with local regulations. The US site that links jobseekers with employers was acquired by Microsoft for $26 billion in June. LinkedIn has 467 million users worldwide but only five million in Russia.