Spotify Shuts Russia Office, Guides to 'Trusted News' on Ukraine Invasion

Spotify closed its office in Russia “indefinitely,” saying Wednesday it’s “deeply shocked and saddened by the unprovoked attack on Ukraine.” Spotify’s team reviewed “thousands of pieces of content since the start of the war," the company said, and has restricted discoverability of shows owned and operated by Russian state-affiliated media. It also removed all RT and Sputnik content from Spotify in the EU and other markets and launched a guide (login required) to provide users with “trusted news” on Ukraine from digital sources including BBC World Service, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. It plans to keep its service operational in Russia “to allow for the global flow of information.” The streaming music service is providing individual support to its people in the region and its Ukrainian employees globally, it said.