Spotify has announced that it is suspending its streaming music service in Russia, reports Reuters. The move appears to be in response to the country's new media law that makes it illegal to report any event that could discredit the Russian military.
"Spotify has continued to believe that it's critically important to try to keep our service operational in Russia to provide trusted, independent news and information from the region," Spotify said in a statement. "Unfortunately, recently enacted legislation further restricting access to information, eliminating free expression, and criminalizing certain types of news puts the safety of Spotify's employees and the possibility of even our listeners at risk."
Numerous companies, including Apple, have suspend services and cancelled sales in the country following its invasion of Ukraine. Netflix suspended service in Russia earlier this month, declining to comply with Russian rules to carry state-backed news channels.
A source says Spotify expects to shut down its service in early April.
"Spotify has continued to believe that it's critically important to try to keep our service operational in Russia to provide trusted, independent news and information from the region," Spotify said in a statement. "Unfortunately, recently enacted legislation further restricting access to information, eliminating free expression, and criminalizing certain types of news puts the safety of Spotify's employees and the possibility of even our listeners at risk."
Numerous companies, including Apple, have suspend services and cancelled sales in the country following its invasion of Ukraine. Netflix suspended service in Russia earlier this month, declining to comply with Russian rules to carry state-backed news channels.
A source says Spotify expects to shut down its service in early April.