Apple halts product sales in Russia, restricts state-controlled news

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Apple CEO Tim Cook. Photo credit Getty Images

Following criticism, Apple is pausing all product sales in Russia, limiting Apple Pay and restricting Russian news sites in solidarity with Ukraine.

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The tech giant is one of several tech companies that have taken a public stand against Russia, as Western businesses increasingly cut ties with the country.

"Apple has said that it's stopping sales of its products into Russia, and in addition to that, they're stopping online transactions and they're also limiting Apple Pay transactions in Russia," CNET video producer Abrar Al-Heeti told KCBS Radio.

Apple joined Google in disabling features such as Apple Maps traffic and live incidents as a safety measure for Ukrainian citizens.

RT News and Sputnik News, two Russian state-controlled media outlets, are also being suppressed on the App Store outside of Russia to limit the spread of state-backed Russian news media.

Apple CEO Tim Cook faced a wave of backlash last week after failing to act against Russia, despite tweeting his deep concern for the "situation in Ukraine."

Many took to Twitter to rally for Cook to halt product sales in Russia, even Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov who publicly pleaded that Cook block the Apple Store for citizens of the Russian Federation.

"We need your support — in 2022, modern technology is perhaps the best answer to the tanks, multiple rocket launchers (hrad) and missiles," Fedorov said.

All Apple products on the company's online Russian storefront are now listed as "unavailable" for purchase in the country.

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