Snapchat has announced that it has halted advertising in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine along with pausing advertising sales to all Russian and Belarusian organizations following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The company said that it does not acquire revenue from Russian state-owned institutions, and is also acting in accordance with the imposed sanctions upon Russian businesses and individuals. Nevertheless, Snapchat will continue providing its app in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine due to its significance as an essential communications tool for people.
Commenting on the situation in Ukraine, Snapchat stated:
We stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian team members and the people of Ukraine who are fighting for their lives and for their freedom. War is a scourge on our collective humanity, and in this case, it is a direct threat to many of our team members and their families. We are praying for their safety and for peace.
Through its collaborations with media publishers on its Discover content platform, it is concentrated on delivering accurate information and news coverage to its global community. In addition, it is continuously monitoring its platform for evidence of misuse or disinformation. The company has further mentioned that it only features content from verified media publishers on Discover and has never permitted Russian state media to distribute content.
Moreover, Snapchat is offering emergency assistance and aiding its team members to safely relocate. It is also showing its commitment to helping its Ukrainian team members and their families while supporting its community, and pledging over $15 million in humanitarian aid to support organizations who are working towards delivering direct relief to those in Ukraine.
