Swedish audio streaming platform Spotify shuts its offices in Russia
Washington, March 3: In response to Russia's military operation in Ukraine, Swedish audio streaming platform Spotify has closed its offices in the Vladimir Putin-led country "indefinitely."
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As per Variety, the company has restricted the discoverability of Russian state-affiliated content on the audio service. It has also removed all content from Kremlin-backed outlets RT and Sputnik from Spotify's platform. "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the unprovoked attack on Ukraine. Our first priority over the past week has been the safety of our employees and to ensure that Spotify continues to serve as an important source of global and regional news at a time when access to information is more important than ever," the Spotify's representative said.
Spotify is also working on a humanitarian level. The company is "matching employee donations two-to-one to support local humanitarian efforts in Ukraine amid the Russian attack."
"We are exploring additional steps that we can take and will continue to do what is in the best interest of our employees and our listeners," the company spokesperson said.
Spotify launched its service in Russia and Ukraine in July 2020.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week, which Moscow calls a “special operation,” Western governments have urged companies to push back on Putin in any way possible.
"Our first priority over the past week has been the safety of our employees and to ensure that Spotify continues to serve as an important source of global and regional news at a time when access to information is more important than ever," Spotify said in a statement.
Spotify said it has reviewed thousands of pieces of content since the start of the war, and restricted the discoverability of shows owned and operated by Russian state-affiliated media.
Earlier this week, it also removed all content from state media RT and Sputnik from Spotify in the European Union, the United States and other markets around the world, except for Russia, following similar steps by Meta Platforms Inc's Facebook and Twitter.
Sputnik on Wednesday said by email that "any restrictions on members of the press are blatant censorship and the dirtiest example of freedom of speech violations."
RT said earlier this week that tech companies removing it had failed to cite any issues with its coverage.
Spotify said it would match employee donations, two-to-one, to support local humanitarian efforts.
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-PTC News
