WeChat 'deeply sorry' for being blocked in Russia

Chinese internet giant Tencent said Saturday it was "deeply sorry" its messaging app WeChat was blocked in Russia, adding it was in touch with authorities to resolve the issue.Russian telecom watchdog Roskomnadzor has listed WeChat service among prohibited websites, Russia's news agency TASS reported Friday.According to Russia's regulation on internet management, internet service providers must register with related government bodies in Russia, while WeChat had a different understanding on this issue, according to a press release sent by WeChat to the Global Times.Access to China's most popular social media platform has been restricted since 4 May.WeChat, launched in 2011, is not hugely popular in Russia but the blockage may affect Chinese tourists and Russians doing business with China.Last year, Russia blocked US social networking site LinkedIn, owned by Microsoft, for violating a law that requires data on Russian citizens to be stored on Russian servers.