Silicon Valley boycotts Russia as Big Tech companies pull most widely-used tech product and services from the country

As the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine reaches its 11th day, Russia is now facing an onslaught of attacks from the tech community. Just last week, more than 400,000 global hackers join forces to unleash hell on the Russian military, banking, and communication networks.

That’s not all. Dozens of  Silicon Valley tech companies also announced last week they’re pulling out the most popular products and services from Russia. Apple, Microsoft, PayPal are just two of the top tech companies moving out from Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Apple was the first company to announce on Tuesday last week that it was halting sales in Russia on iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Macs, and all other products. Microsoft joined Apple saying it would pause all new sales of its products and services in the country.

Then later in the week, Netflix and PayPal also pulled their services from Russia. However, Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov thinks the actions didn’t go far enough. He wants Big Tech’s boycott to extend to critical software like Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Google and Microsoft have also worked to block Russian media outlets like the state-run RT network and Sputnik, according to Newsweek.

So far, Elon Musk’s SpaceX is the only known tech company that has rejected the call to deny access to its satellite services. Over the weekend, Elon Musk says SpaceX’s Starlink won’t block Russian news sources ‘unless at gunpoint.’

Musk said Saturday that some governments told Starlink to block Russian media. In a post on Twitter, Musk said:

“Starlink has been told by some governments (not Ukraine) to block Russian news sources.”

The request to Starlink comes as Russian military forces continue to invade Ukraine and many nations, including the United States, levy harsh economic sanctions on Russia in protest.

Starlink has been told by some governments (not Ukraine) to block Russian news sources. We will not do so unless at gunpoint.

Sorry to be a free speech absolutist.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2022