Netflix Suspends Service in Russia, Citing ‘Circumstances on the Ground’ Amid Invasion of Ukraine

The streaming company confirmed its decision to "suspend our service in Russia" after previously saying it wouldn't carry state-run channels.

The Netflix building in Hollywood is pictured
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Image via Getty/Robyn Beck/AFP

The Netflix building in Hollywood is pictured

Netflix service in Russia has been suspended amid ongoing concerns over the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

As reported by Reuters and others on Sunday, the company has suspended its service in Russia after earlier this week temporarily stopping projects in the country. Last month, the streaming platform was among those to confirm it would not be adding federal-run channels to its service there, although a recently reported law would have required such a thing.

When reached for comment by Complex on Sunday, a Netflix spokesperson offered the following:

“Given the circumstances on the ground, we have decided to suspend our service in Russia.”

TikTok, meanwhile, was also reported this weekend to have suspended certain services in Russia. On Sunday, per an Associated Press report, the ByteDance-owned social media service said that users in Russia would not be able to share new videos or streams. Additionally, users will not be able to see clips shared by those who are located outside the country.

In a tweeted statement, a TikTok spokesperson confirmed that the platform’s in-app messaging components “will not be affected.”

1/ 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. However, the safety of our employees and our users remain our highest priority.

— TikTokComms (@TikTokComms) March 6, 2022

2/ In light of Russia's new ‘fake news’ law, we have no choice but to suspend livestreaming and new content to our video service while we review the safety implications of this law. Our in-app messaging service will not be affected.

— TikTokComms (@TikTokComms) March 6, 2022

3/ We will continue to evaluate the evolving circumstances in Russia to determine when we might fully resume our services with safety as our top priority. More about our ongoing efforts here: https://t.co/Whwn5KwXmj

— TikTokComms (@TikTokComms) March 6, 2022

When reached for comment by Complex, a TikTok rep directed us to this page about the company’s work to protect its community amid the invasion of Ukraine.

A number of companies and platforms have made similar announcements in recent days, including—as broken down here—Visa and MasterCard. Both entities have suspended operations in Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine.

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