Russia-Ukraine conflict: Corporate exodus continues with Mastercard, Netflix, TikTok halting operations in Russia

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Corporate exodus continues with Mastercard, Netflix, TikTok halting operations in Russia
FILE PHOTO: Russian army service members drive MT-LB multi-purpose amphibious armoured carriers past tanks during drills at the Kuzminsky range in the southern Rostov region, Russia January 26, 2022. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov

More and more companies are leaving Russia. However, it’s important to note that some are leaving because they feel it’s the right thing to do; others are leaving because of a law Russia recently announced.

The new law would put people in prison for up to 15 years for spreading “fake news” about the Russian military, the country’s invasion of Ukraine (which Russia refers to as a “special military operation”) or calling for sanctions on Russia.

The BBC has stopped reporting in the country and said that this law seems to punish independent journalism. TikTok has also left, saying, “We have no choice but to suspend livestreaming and new content to our video service while we review the safety implications of this law.”

American Express, Visa and Mastercard have left, with the chief executive officer of Mastercard calling the invasion “unacceptable.” PayPal, Zara and Netflix have also halted their operations in the country.

“Literally by tomorrow, this law will force punishment – and very tough punishment – on those who lied and made statements which discredited our armed forces,” said Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of Russia’s State Duma legislative body.

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