Wix, a popular website builder, will block all Russian accounts starting September 12, 2024. This move will affect both paid and free users in Russia, as confirmed by the platform’s support service.
In a statement, Wix explained that it is required to restrict access for Russian residents to its services by this date.
From September 12, 2024, users in Russia will lose access to their accounts and any associated services. All websites linked to affected accounts will be unpublished. Wix is advising users to transfer their domains to other registrars or hosting platforms, with detailed instructions available on its website.
There is an exception process for non-Russian residents who can prove their location through documents like registration certificates, utility bills, or proof of residence.
Anton Gorelkin, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, commented on the situation, noting that Wix had already distanced itself from Russian users in March 2022 by halting payments from Russian bank cards.
Regarding the departure of the website builder Wix from the Russian Federation. In fact, it turned its back on Russian users back in March 2022, when it stopped accepting payments from our bank cards. Even then, many owners of paid accounts began to transfer their projects to domestic counterparts.
It is clear that after today’s announcement by the service, all the others will do the same. I don’t see any tragedy in Wix’s departure: there are more than enough Russian website builders on the market, including free ones and more convenient in terms of functionality.
Gorelkin emphasized that many users had already migrated to Russian website builders, which he said offer comparable or superior functionality.
Wix’s departure follows other foreign services that have pulled out of Russia, including Notion, GetResponse, and Miro, although the latter has allowed free users to continue using its platform.
Source: Wix