Microsoft, saying it's "horrified, angered and saddened" by the attack on Ukraine, has joined other tech product and services vendors in suspending sales in Russia. Google, however, will continue to provide some services inside Russia. Credit: Marco Verch The tech exodus from Russia ramped up today, as Microsoft halted all new product and services sales inside the country because of the invasion of Ukraine. Apple did much the same thing earlier in the week. “Like the rest of the world, we are horrified, angered and saddened by the images and news coming from the war in Ukraine and condemn this unjustified, unprovoked and unlawful invasion by Russia,” Microsoft President Brad Smith said in a blog post. Microsoft is just the latest in a line of Western companies to suspend sales in protest of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nike and Dell Technologies have suspended sales inside Russia, as have SAP and Oracle. On Tuesday, Apple confirmed it had stopped selling its products in Russia. On Apple’s Russia store, all products are listed as “unavailable” for purchase or delivery in the country. “We are deeply concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand with all of the people who are suffering as a result of the violence,” Apple said in a statement Tuesday. “We are supporting humanitarian efforts, providing aid for the unfolding refugee crisis, and doing all we can to support our teams in the region.” Alphabet’s Google, however, said it will continue to provide its search engine and other services in Russia, though Google Pay may become unavailable in certain “countries, regions and institutions” as sanctions are imposed. “Most of our services (like Search, Maps and YouTube) currently remain available in Russia, continuing to provide access to global information and perspectives,” Google said in a blog post. Google, did however, block mobile apps connected to Russian broadcasters RT and Sputnik, and has ceased ad sales in Russia. Microsoft also said it would remove Russian state-owned media outlet RT’s mobile apps from the Windows App store and ban advertisements on Russian state-sponsored media. Also on Friday, Russia’s Federal communications oversite agency (roskomnadzor) announced it would block Facebook inside the country. The social media blackout is as an attempt to squelch dissenting views on social media, according to one US regulator. Russia framed the social media restriction as a retaliatory action based on “26 cases of discrimination against Russian media” by Facebook. Other companies that have stopped sales or services in Russia include Dell Technologies, Ford and Ericsson. And shipping companies A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S and Mediterranean Shipping Co. said they would suspend all shipments to Russian ports with the exception of food. Related content feature Windows 11 Insider Previews: What’s in the latest build? Get the latest info on new preview builds of Windows 11 as they roll out to Windows Insiders. Now updated for Build 22635.3570 for the Beta Channel and Build 26120.461 for the Dev channel, both released on May 3, 2024. By Preston Gralla May 07, 2024 252 mins Small and Medium Business Microsoft Windows 11 news analysis 3+ reasons Apple might want to make its own server chips Apple reportedly has a top secret plan to make AI chips for servers to provide generative AI services. By Jonny Evans May 07, 2024 5 mins Apple CPUs and Processors Generative AI opinion GenAI is to data visibility what absolute zero is to a hot summer day Given the plethora of privacy rules already in place in Europe, how are companies with shiny, new, not-understood genAI tools supposed to comply? (Hint: they can’t.) By Evan Schuman May 06, 2024 6 mins Data Privacy GDPR Generative AI news How many jobs are available in technology in the US? Tech unemployment was down slightly in April, but AI hiring was up — way up. And job listings showed more signs of a shift in recruiting practices with a growing emphasis on skills-based hiring. By Lucas Mearian May 06, 2024 160 mins Remote Work Salaries Financial Services Industry Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe