Y Combinator’s Garry Tan Goes to the MatRead more

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo by Bloomberg

What 15 Big Tech and Media Companies Are Doing in Response to Putin’s War

Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo by Bloomberg

Social media apps including Facebook, Twitter and TikTok have long been pilloried for allowing the spread of blatant misinformation aimed at subverting democracy. In recent days, however, these apps have been used to great effect in an information war benefiting Ukraine in its fight to protect its democracy. Ukrainian officials and citizens, as well as millions of other users, harnessed the apps to turn countless governments and citizens against Russia’s invasion.

Over the past two days, the companies have stepped up punitive action against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime, including blocking Russian state TV networks and other efforts by Russia to influence internet users’ view of the conflict. Some of the companies’ actions came after EU officials banned RT and Sputnik, two Russian state TV networks, from broadcasting in the bloc, among other sanctions. That gave the companies—many of which operate small to moderate-size businesses in Russia and have employees there—the cover to follow suit.

But tech and media companies including Apple, Microsoft and Netflix have taken additional steps to halt product sales, thwart Russian actors or are refusing to obey a local Russian law. Below is a list of the actions 15 major tech and media companies have taken so far, from Meta Platforms to Google to DirecTV.

Access on the go
View stories on our mobile app and tune into our weekly podcast.
Join live video Q&A’s
Deep-dive into topics like startups and autonomous vehicles with our top reporters and other executives.
Enjoy a clutter-free experience
Read without any banner ads.
Former Apple design chief Jony Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Photos by Getty.
Exclusive
Designer Jony Ive and OpenAI’s Sam Altman Discuss AI Hardware Project
Jony Ive, the renowned designer of the iPhone, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have been discussing building a new AI hardware device, according to two people familiar with the conversations.
From left to right: Blair Effron, Robert Pruzan and David Handler. Photos by Getty; Tidal Partners.
Exclusive Finance
Disputes, Employee Misconduct Rattle Centerview’s Silicon Valley Dreams
The San Francisco Bay Area–based bankers at Centerview Partners, the investment bank that advised Silicon Valley Bank’s owner and Credit Suisse through recent turmoil, got two doses of bad news last week.
Art by Clark Miller
Exclusive startups entertainment
MasterClass Takes a Crash Course in Frugality
MasterClass had a problem with the shoot featuring its latest star instructor, Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Photos via Getty
Exclusive microsoft ai
How Microsoft is Trying to Lessen Its Addiction to OpenAI as AI Costs Soar
Microsoft’s push to put artificial intelligence into its software has hinged almost entirely on OpenAI , the startup Microsoft funded in exchange for the right to use its cutting-edge technology.
From left: Paul Graham, Garry Tan and Michael Seibel. Photos by Getty. Art by Mike Sullivan.
Exclusive startups ai
Y Combinator’s Garry Tan Goes to the Mat
Garry Tan was in his happy place. Surrounded by food trucks and techies basking in San Francisco’s September sun, the CEO of Y Combinator snapped selfies with entrepreneurs as he meandered through a crowd of 2,700 attendees at the startup accelerator’s annual alumni event.
Dave Rogenmoser, cofounder of Jasper. Photo via Getty.
Exclusive startups ai
Jasper, an Early Generative AI Winner, Cuts Internal Valuation as Growth Slows
Jasper AI, an early darling of the generative artificial intelligence boom, has cut the internal value of its common shares 20%, according to former employees who were notified by the company.