TikTok has limited its service in Russia, and Netflix has temporarily suspended its services as Western companies continue to pull out of the Russian market.
Following the Kremlin’s move to criminalize the spread of, what it considers to be, false news about the war in Ukraine, TikTok said that it would ban live broadcasts and downloads of new content in Russia.
TikTok stated in a statement released in response to Russia's new 'fake news' law, "we have no choice but to suspend live-streaming and new content to our video service while we review the safety implications of this law." The Chinese social networking service added: “We will continue to evaluate the evolving circumstances in Russia to determine when we might fully resume our services with safety as our top priority.”
Netflix did not specify a reason for suspending its services, but said the move reflected the “circumstances on the ground.” The BBC, CNN, and other international media outlets have also temporarily suspended their services in Russia to protect their journalists.
Several media outlets have clarified that, considering Russia’s new “fake news” law, there is no choice but to suspend live broadcasts and new video services. In light of the new security implications resulting from the new law, companies fear for the lives and wellbeing of their employees.
TikTok attracted many users during the Russian attack on Ukraine, especially those under the age of 25, as content from the UK-based TikTok platform gathered millions of views.
In response to blocking state-sponsored news services, such as Russia Today and Sputnik, in the European Union, the Russian authorities decided to suspend Facebook and Twitter in the country.
Meanwhile, the US credit card companies Visa Card, MasterCard, and American Express said, over the weekend, that they would cut services in Russia. However, that still would not affect domestic purchases.
South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, a major supplier of both smartphones and computer chips, said it would stop shipping products to the country; joining other big tech companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, Intel, and Dell, in pulling out of the Russian market.
On the other hand, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, called on American tech companies to do more in response to Russia’s invasion. He also tweeted asking Apple and Google to close their app stores in Russia and asked Amazon and Microsoft to suspend their services.
Many Russian demonstrators who took to the streets in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and other Russian cities to protest the invasion of Ukraine have used social media platforms to spread their opinions. Yet, Russia’s new “fake news” law imposes prison sentences of up to 15 years for anyone who posts information that contradict the Russian government’s narrative of the war.
Other European and American companies have also shut down their global services in Russia, including PayPal, which specializes in electronic payment services.
“Under the current circumstances, we are suspending PayPal services in Russia,” stated PayPal CEO Dan Schulman, according to Russian news agency TASS. Schulman added that the company stands with the international community in condemning Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. Similar measures were also taken by Microsoft, Ikea, H&M, and Siemens.
Translated by Ahmed N. A. Almassri
Misbar’s Sources
BBC
CBC
Misbar
The Guardian
