Putin’s war in Ukraine shatters Silicon Valley’s neutrality myth
On Monday morning, the tech policy expert and former member of the European Parliament, Marietje Schaake, took to Twitter with the same question I had when I opened my laptop to write this newsletter: “What US social media companies are still available in Russia?” she asked.
If you’ve been following this topic closely, you’re probably aware that the answer depends on the day, or even the hour, you ask it. By the time you read this newsletter, it’s possible that there will be new names to add to the ever-expanding list of tech companies — from the U.S. and elsewhere — changing how they interact with Russia, or new revelations about how pro-Kremlin content is circulating on popular platforms. (Take, for example, this recent report from USA Today about the violent, pro-war messages on the Swedish streaming app Spotify).
I’m writing this newsletter from my desk in the Bay Area, the epicenter of the technology industry — a place that is thousands of miles away from the war, but completely enmeshed in how it is broadcast to the rest of the world. When it comes to the digital sphere, this crisis has manifested right on Silicon Valley’s doorstep. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has generated furious calls for top tech companies to sever ties with Russia and take action against pro-Kremlin disinformation and propaganda. Since then, we’ve seen a dizzying array of changes. Some are decisions made by the companies themselves; others are the result of action taken by Russia.
Here’s a short but by no means exhaustive recap. Apple stopped selling its products in Russia, limited access to Apple Pay within the country, and pulled RT and Sputnik from its app store. Google, Facebook, and Twitter cut off advertising from Russian state media. Facebook and YouTube blocked access to RT and Sputnik in the European Union. Twitter labeled tweets from Russian state media outlets. Netflix and Airbnb pulled out of Russia. Microsoft halted all new product sales in Russia. And on Friday, the Kremlin bit back, blocking access to Twitter and Facebook in Russia. (For more, be sure to check out this comprehensive list from Harvard University’s Shorenstein Center).