Goodbye, Spotify. Hello, Sputnik?
Music streaming giant Spotify (SPOT) is the latest to join a growing list of media platforms halting operations in Russia following a law passed by the Kremlin earlier this month that threatens to jail any person or entity spreading “fake” news for up to 15 years.
Spotify confirmed to Yahoo Finance that the music streaming giant made the “difficult” decision Friday to suspend its service in the country. The company said it will have to take several operational steps to facilitate the exit but expects to have fully suspended its service by early April.
“Spotify has continued to believe that it’s critically important to try and keep our service operational in Russia to provide trusted, independent news and information in the region,” a company spokesperson said. “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 possibly even our listeners at risk.”
Spotify is the latest to join a growing list of media platforms halting operations in Russia. (Photo Illustration by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)