The Russia-Ukraine conflict leads many bigger brands to limit their services and abandon Russia. In a mounting corporate backlash to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Apple has become the latest big company to suspend all product sales in the country.
The IT behemoth expressed its “great concern” about the Russian invasion. Also, expressed solidarity with people “suffering as a result of the bloodshed.”
Apple Pay, as well as other services like Apple Maps, are no more available for Russian users.
Big brands abandon Russia
Nike has declined to comment on the dispute, although its products are no longer available for purchase online.
Nike said it was halting online orders because it couldn’t guarantee delivery to consumers in Russia, according to an automated message.
The website, on the other hand, led customers to the nearest Nike store.
Lesia Vsylenko, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, stated that the sportswear giant’s move was an excellent example of how private enterprises may impose sanctions on Russia.
In recent days, many high-profile corporations, including film studios, carmakers, and technology firms, have withdrawn from Russia.
Russian state-funded publishers, such as RT, have been eliminated from Google’s search results.
According to Russian news agency RIA, mobile banking apps in Russian, such as Russia’s VTB Bank’s app, may soon cease to work entirely on devices using Apple’s iOS operating system.
As a “safety and precautionary measure for Ukrainian citizens,” Apple banned both traffic and live occurrences in Apple Maps in Ukraine, according to a statement.
Global brands have been separating themselves from Russia one by one, making the country appear increasingly isolated.
However, it was far from guaranteed that Apple would take this step. The corporation had begun to be chastised for its lack of response to the Ukraine crisis.
In Russia, there are numerous phone firms and numerous alternatives to Apple products.
People with iPhones will still be able to utilize the App Store; the sales halt will not have a significant impact right now.
However, when brands abandon Russia, citizens will discover that the things they used to buy are no longer available.