New Russian data laws challenge the way in which international classified publishers do business.

Classified Intelligence Report correspondent Pavel Marceux says a new law passed in July bans online businesses from storing the personal data of Russian citizens on servers located abroad. Changes to existing legislation will come into effect in September 2016.

While storage of personal data on overseas servers is currently allowed, the new rules require that only servers located physically on Russian territory be used.

“Domain names or internet addresses not complying with regulations will be put on a blacklist maintained by Roskomnadzor, the state telecoms regulator with powers to take down sites suspected of copyright infringement without a court order,” says Marceux.

Online classifieds publishers such as jobs site Indeed (ru.indeed.com) – which listed about 440,000 Russian vacancies this September – will have to separate its Russian division from its US servers or simply move out altogether.

Marceus says “concerns countless international websites and even local small businesses with Russian users or clients” will be affected.