The audio streaming platform closed its
office in Russia indefinitely earlier this month, citing what it described as
Moscow's "unprovoked attack on Ukraine."
Russia's new legislation makes it illegal
to report any event that could discredit the Russian military.
"Spotify has continued to believe that
it's critically important to try to keep our service operational in Russia to
provide trusted, independent news and information from the region,"
Spotify said in a statement. "Unfortunately, recently enacted legislation
further restricting access to information, eliminating free expression, and
criminalising certain types of news puts the safety of Spotify's employees and
the possibility of even our listeners at risk."
The service is expected to end in early
April, according to one person with knowledge of the situation.
Another streaming service, Netflix,
suspended service in Russia earlier this month after saying it had no plans to
add state-run channels to its Russian service, despite a regulation that would
require it to do so. © Reuters