Microsoft said on Monday it would remove Russian state-owned media outlet RT’s mobile apps from the Windows App store and ban advertisements on Russian state-sponsored media, as global tech firms respond to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
The company said it would not display any state-sponsored RT and Sputnik content, de-rank their search results on Bing and not place any ads from its ad network on those sites.
Western tech companies, including Facebook-owner Meta Platforms and Alphabet Inc’s Google, have placed restrictions on Russia’s state-controlled media outlets in Ukraine and around the world.
Google has banned downloads of RT’s mobile app on Ukrainian territory and disabled certain map tools after barring Russia’s state-owned media outlet RT and other channels from receiving money for ads on their Web sites, apps and YouTube videos.
Microsoft also said it will de-rank Russia Today and Sputnik search results on Bing. LightRocket via Getty ImagesFacebook is barring Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on its platform anywhere in the world.
“[We] will make ongoing adjustments to strengthen our detection and disruption mechanisms to avoid the spread of disinformation and promote instead independent and trusted content,” Microsoft said in a blog post.
A growing list of companies are also looking to exit Russia as sanctions from Western countries tighten.
