By Karuna Thapa
Kathmandu, March 6
With Russia’s escalating invasion of Ukraine, a number of technology companies throughout the world are making difficult decisions against Russia.
The Russian attack has been denounced by Western governments, world sports organizations, and even huge corporations, who have put different penalties on Russia. Meanwhile, Microsoft has stated that it will no longer offer its products and services in Russia.
Windows, Microsoft’s computer operating system, is used by over a billion people around the world. Microsoft’s sales and services in Russia will be shut off, affecting millions of people.
”Like anywhere else in the world, the sights and reports coming out of the battlefield horrify, anger, and sadden us in Ukraine,” Microsoft Chairman Brad Smith wrote in a blog post. We strongly condemn Russia’s unjust, unjustified, and unlawful attack.
Apple also stopped the sale of all of its goods in Russia earlier this week. Apple has deleted
Russian news organization RT and Sputnik’s mobile app from the App Store, in addition to stopping sales of its products in Russia.
In Russia, Apple’s Apple Pay service is also unavailable. Following a letter from Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, the decision was made.
US sanctions against Russia’s exports
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US has restricted the shipment of US goods to Russia. The sale of Russian-manufactured goods made in the United States is likewise prohibited. The restriction was enacted by the United States under its trade laws.
To sell computers, sensors, lasers, navigation equipment, telecommunications, aerospace, and marine equipment in Russia, US corporations will now need to obtain licenses.
Similar penalties were placed by the US on Huawei, a Chinese corporation, a few years ago,
resulting in substantial losses for Huawei.
