“Given the circumstances on the ground, we have decided to
suspend our service in Russia,” a spokesperson for Netflix said
Many Western companies have distanced themselves from Russia since the country invaded Ukraine.
Netflix had previously paused all future projects and acquisitions from Russia
Netflix is the latest big-tech firm to join the bandwagon of companies, suspending their services in Russia to protest the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“Given the circumstances on the ground, we have decided to suspend our service in Russia,” a spokesperson for Netflix said.
Previously the streaming giant had paused all future projects and acquisitions from Russia.
Netflix also refused to carry 20 Russian free-to-air propaganda channels that it was required to host under Russian law.
Netflix is not the only media enterprise to boycott Russia. All of the major studios have announced they will stop releasing their films in Russia.
The Walt Disney Company, which owns Marvel Studios, 20th Century Studios, Pixar and other film properties, announced Monday that it is pausing its release of theatrical films in Russia.
Distancing themselves from Russia
Companies such as Microsoft, Apple and Dell have suspended sales in the country, while Ikea has closed stores. Shell, Nike, H&M and Boeing have cut ties or temporarily suspended sales in Russia. Nike has said it will no longer fulfill online orders.
On Sunday, TikTok announced that it would suspend live-streaming and new content to its video service in Russia, while it reviews the “safety implications” of Russia’s law.
The new law, which went into effect Friday, bans any content the Russian government deems “fake news” about its military. Any such published content is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.