Spotify Closes Russian Workplace “Indefinitely” in Response to Ukraine Invasion
Spotify has shuttered its workplace house in Russia indefinitely, Selection studies and a Spotify spokesperson tells Pitchfork. The choice to shut the Moscow submit comes amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. “We’re deeply shocked and saddened by the unprovoked assault on Ukraine,” a Spotify spokesperson stated in a press release, shared with Pitchfork. “Our first precedence over the previous week has been the protection of our staff and to make sure that Spotify continues to function an vital supply of world and regional information at a time when entry to data is extra vital than ever.”
Elsewhere within the assertion, the spokesperson stated that Spotify will present “particular person help to [its] personnel within the area in addition to our world group of Ukrainian staff.” Spotify has additionally restricted the discoverability of content material owned and operated by Russian state-affiliated media, and eliminated all RT and Sputnik content material from the streaming platform within the European Union and different markets.
Spotify won’t disable streaming inside Russia. “We expect it’s critically vital to attempt to preserve our service operational in Russia to permit for the worldwide movement of knowledge,” the assertion reads.
Numerous artists and organizations have displayed solidarity with Ukraine in current days. Russian rapper Oxxxymiron canceled six bought out concert events in Moscow and St. Petersburg, protesting President Vladimir V. Putin and the nation’s invasion. Inexperienced Day, HEALTH, Nick Cave, and extra have adopted swimsuit in canceling Russian exhibits.
The European Broadcasting Union banned Russia from the 2022 Eurovision Music Contest. Famous activist and Pussy Riot co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova has bought NFTs to lift funds for Ukrainian civilian teams. And, this previous weekend Saturday Evening Reside opened with a efficiency by the Ukrainian Refrain Dumka of New York, who sang “Prayer for Ukraine.”