The comparison is obviously warranted. I'd argue that there is a difference b/c: - The EU has a history of relatively strict data privacy laws, whereas Russia

The comparison is obviously warranted. I'd argue that there is a difference b/c: - The EU has a history of relatively strict data privacy laws, whereas Russia has no credibility in regards to any civil rights. whatsoever. - The EU is a much larger market than Russia. It's therefore unlikely that any significant companies would choose to leave the EU market and create an opening for local companies. Only a few data centers may be needed in the EU, and they just don't employ people or pay taxes in relevant amount. - Storage-in-the-EU is not actually a requirement – companies may store data anywhere as long as they can provide for the required safeguards. - I'm not completely firm on the genesis of the new data protection regulation, but I believe it was actually a reaction to the EU's Court of Justice's rulings (the "right to be forgotten" and the Facebook case). I have a hard time believing Supreme Court justices ruling with protectionism in mind.