Russian daily Kommersant said Zoom Video Communications Inc
had banned distributors from selling access to its service to state companies
and institutions, citing a letter from Zoom's representative in the region,
RightConf, dated March 31.
Zoom said it remained committed to serving customers in
Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Its shares closed up 2%.
"We are in the process of evolving our approach in the
region, and in the meantime, new and existing customers in both the public and
private sectors can seek to procure Zoom accounts directly through our
website," a Zoom representative said.
RightConf had no immediate comment.
"Russia is not an advocate of sanctions, but if Zoom
takes such a decision in relation to state institutions and companies, then a
blocking of the service on our country's territory is possible as a reciprocal,
symmetrical measure," the RIA news agency cited lawmaker Alexander Bashkin
from the United Russia party as saying in the upper house of parliament.
The spat comes as the threat of more U.S. sanctions hangs
over Russia for allegedly meddling in U.S. elections and cyber-hacking -
charges Moscow denies - and as Russia targets foreign internet companies for
failing to delete what is calls banned content.
The Kremlin said it had used Zoom for some international
video calls but that President Vladimir Putin rarely used the service and
alternative solutions were available.
"In general we express regret and confusion as to why
Russian state institutions and higher education establishments are now deprived
of the opportunity to extend existing contracts and enter into new ones,"
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call.
He did not mention the possibility of a Zoom ban.
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