Several tech giants have taken steps in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The latest company to act followsing sanctions being imposed on the country is the music streaming service, Spotify.
Spotify announced it has closed its offices in Russia indefinitely.
Spotify Closes its Office in Russia
The music streaming giant is not disabling access to its service within Russia as they believe it is important to keep their service operational in the country. This will allow for the global flow of information, according to a Spotify representative during an interview with Variety.
Just like other internet platforms, Spotify has restricted the discoverability of Russian state-affiliated content on the service. The company has likewised removed all content from Kremlin-backed outlets RT and Sputnik from the platform.
The Spotify representative added that they are shocked and saddened by the unprovoked attack on Ukraine and their first priority over the past week has been the safety of their employees.
The company also wants to ensure that it continues to serve as an important source of global and regional news at a time when access to information is vital.
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The music streaming giant said that it is providing individual support to the company's employees in the region as well as to their global community of Ukrainian employees.
Since the Russian hostilities started, Spotify said that its teams have reviewed thousands of pieces of content. On Mar. 2, the company also launched a new guide on the platform to provide users around the world with access to localized trusted news sources, according to Reuters.
In the United States, for example, the section links to daily news podcasts including those from The New York Times, BBC News, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian. Users are also given access to podcast explainers about the Russia-Ukraine war and the history of Ukraine.
In addition, the company is matching employee donations 2 to 1 to support local humanitarian efforts in Ukraine amid the Russian attack.
Spotify's spokesperson said that they are exploring additional steps that they can take and will continue to do what is in the best interest of their employees and their listeners.
The company launched in Russia and Ukraine in July 2020, along with 10 other European countries.
YouTube and Meta Block Ukraine
Before Spotify announced it decision to close its office in Moscow, Russia, another streaming service has halted the monetization of all state-sponsored RT, according to CNN.
YouTube announced that it will be significantly limiting recommendations to Russian channels. The company stated that the channels are affiliated with recent sanctions.
It has also restricted access to RT and other channels in Ukraine in response to a request from the country's government.
This is not the first time that YouTube and Russia had issues about content being posted on the platform. In 2021, YouTube received a ban threat from Russia over COVID misinformation on the platform.
Last week, Ukraine Digital Minister Mykhailo Fedorov posted on Twitter that he had contacted YouTube to ask the platform to block the propagandist Russian channels, and he specifically mentioned Russia 24, TASS, and RIA Novosti.
In 2017, the US Justice Department forced RT'S American branch to register as a foreign agent to continue operating in the country. Intelligence researchers have said that RT conducts strategic messaging for the Russian government.
Last week, Apple stopped selling its products in Russia, which means buyers there will not be able to purchase smartphones, tablets, and laptops for now.
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Written by Sophie Webster
