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Russia Blocks Vimeo Over Islamic State Video


Russia's state communications agency temporarily blocked access to the video-hosting website Vimeo after it posted a video from the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

State broadcasting regulator Roskomnadzor said on December 1 that Internet service providers in Russia "banned access to video hosting [site] Vimeo" based on a request by the Russian prosecutor's office because of a video on the website from the IS militant group called "Flames of War."

Vimeo told RFE/RL in a statement that it removed the video the same day and requested that the Russian government restore access to the channel.

A Roskomnadzor spokesman said later that the block was removed.

Social media sites have been under legal pressure in Russia to register as mass media outlets.

With reporting by TASS and TJournal.ru
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