Spotify to Suspend Service in Russia Following New Media Law

Spotify stated on Friday it would droop its streaming service in Russia in response to the nation’s new media regulation.

The audio streaming platform closed its workplace in Russia indefinitely earlier this month, citing what it described as Moscow’s “unprovoked attack on Ukraine.”

Russia’s new laws makes it unlawful to report any occasion that would discredit the Russian army.

“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 stated in an announcement. “Unfortunately, recently enacted legislation further restricting access to information, eliminating free expression, and criminalising certain types of news puts the safety of Spotify’s employees and the possibility of even our listeners at risk.”

The service is predicted to finish in early April, in response to one particular person with information of the scenario.

Another streaming service, Netflix, suspended service in Russia earlier this month after saying it had no plans so as to add state-run channels to its Russian service, regardless of a regulation that might require it to take action.

© Thomson Reuters 2022