In a striking revelation, Yandex, Russia's leading tech giant, disclosed that it responded to a record-breaking 57,434 requests from Russian authorities for user data in 2024. This figure, highlighted in the company’s transparency report, marks a significant increase in governmental scrutiny of personal data access.
According to the report, Yandex received a total of 77,979 requests for user information from various governmental bodies, a 13% increase from the 68,969 requests recorded in the previous year. However, the percentage of requests that were satisfied saw a decline, dropping from 79% in 2023 to 74% in 2024.
The data reveals that authorities displayed the most interest in information pertaining to the 'Rides' category, which encompasses taxi, delivery, car-sharing, and carpooling services. Yandex received 50,175 requests in this category and fulfilled 37,399 of them, amounting to a satisfaction rate of 75%. This category, introduced in the latter half of 2023, has consistently been at the forefront of requests since 2021.
Following closely was the 'Foodtech' category, which includes services related to food delivery and preparation, receiving 14,181 requests with an impressive 81% satisfaction rate, as 11,530 were fulfilled. Interestingly, this marked the first time that the 'Foodtech' category surpassed the postal service requests, which ranked third with 6,043 requests, of which only 3,664 (61%) were satisfied.
In addition to the user data requests, Yandex also reported a notable increase in requests under the law known as the 'Right to Be Forgotten.' In 2024, the company received 25,972 such requests, of which 18,042 (69%) were satisfied. This law mandates that search engines remove links to information deemed illegal, unreliable, or outdated by the requestor. For the first time, the number of satisfied requests under this law exceeded the number of refusals.
Yandex's transparency report also sheds light on the evolving landscape of data privacy and governmental oversight in Russia. Following the onset of the war in Ukraine in 2022, Yandex had its services included in the register of organizations disseminating information (ORI), which obligates the company to store user data, including calls and messages, within the country. This regulation requires Yandex to retain customer information for one year and messages for six months, making it imperative for the company to comply with law enforcement requests.
Moreover, in 2024, Yandex's advertising network was utilized over one billion times to promote services associated with the Russian army. This advertising was classified as 'social advertising' and was displayed without charge, adhering to a 5% quota established for such promotions.
The increasing number of data requests reflects a broader trend of heightened governmental interest in user information, raising questions about privacy and the ethical implications of data handling by tech companies. As Yandex navigates this complex landscape, the company continues to balance compliance with legal obligations while addressing user privacy concerns.
The implications of these findings resonate beyond just numbers; they signify a critical moment in the intersection of technology, governance, and individual privacy rights in Russia. As the government ramps up its requests for user data, tech companies like Yandex are faced with the challenge of maintaining transparency and accountability while adhering to state demands.
In conclusion, Yandex's record number of data requests from authorities in 2024 underscores the increasing scrutiny of personal data in Russia, prompting urgent discussions about privacy rights and the responsibilities of tech giants in protecting user information amidst governmental pressures.
