Video-focused social networking service, TikTok, has suspended all live streaming and content sharing on its platform in Russia, joining American Express and PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC, to boycott the country amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  

The social media platform made the announcement in response to the country’s new controversial ‘fake news’ law, which threatens imprisonment for sharing what authorities consider to be false information. 

‘TikTok is an outlet for creativity and entertainment that can provide a source of relief and human connection during a time of war when people are facing immense tragedy and isolation’,the company said they had ‘no choice’ but to suspend the services.  

The platform is not the first company to suspend its services in Russia. 

Also on Sunday, March 6^th, 2022, Netflix made the decision to suspend its service in Russia. American Express and PricewatwerhouseCoopers, PwC, announced it is suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus.

Globally issued American Express cards will no longer work at merchants or ATMs in Russia, the company said in a statement. AmEx cards issued locally in Russia by the country’s banks will also no longer work outside of Russia. 

Visa and Mastercard have also blocked multiple Russian financial institutions from their network, complying with government sanctions imposed over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Story: Asma’u Sani

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