Spotify will suspend service in Russia.
Spotify Technology SA said on Friday it would suspend its broadcasting service in Russia in response to the country’s new media law.
According to foreign media, the audio broadcasting platform closed its office in Russia indefinitely earlier this month, citing what it described as “Moscow’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine.”
Russia’s new legislation makes it illegal to report any events that could discredit the Russian military.
“Spotify has continued to believe that it is extremely important that we strive to maintain our functional service in Russia to provide reliable news and information, independent of the region,” Spotify said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, recently enacted legislation that further restricts access to information, eliminates the free expression and criminalization of certain types of news, jeopardizes the safety of Spotify employees and the ability of our listeners.”
The service is expected to end in early April, according to a person familiar with the situation.