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[Draugoth]

Microsoft says it's suspending "all new sales" of its products and services in Russia, so no new Xbox, Windows, Azure sales. Microsoft is also "stopping many aspects of our business in Russia" to comply with sanctions. Story coming here:

Microsoft pulls the plug on ‘new’ sales of products and services in Russia

Microsoft calls Russia’s invasion “unprovoked and unlawful.”

www.theverge.com

In a blog post published Friday morning, Microsoft president Brad Smith confirmed the company “will suspend all new sales of Microsoft products and services in Russia.”

It didn’t go into further detail about what that looks like or specify what meaningful financial impact the move will have on its businesses, as CD Projekt Red did yesterday while announcing a ban on services to Russia and Belarus. In response to a request for more information by The Verge, a spokesperson said the company had nothing more to share at this time.

“WE ARE COORDINATING CLOSELY AND WORKING IN LOCKSTEP WITH THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE US, EU, AND THE UK”. Microsoft is only the latest tech company to announce a stop in some of its services to Russia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since the fighting started, many politicians worldwide have called for bans targeting Russia’s economy and ability to connect to the world, in addition to sanctions on Russian banks and state-operated media outlets.

Microsoft’s announcement targets new sales specifically, leaving existing service contracts unmentioned. The company didn’t go into the reasons behind its decision, but Microsoft’s recent focus on cloud services and support services means that cutting off existing contracts would be particularly devastating for both organizations and individuals using Windows, Office, Microsoft 365, Azure, and even Xbox products in Russia.

 

[MikeM]

That might hurt business big time in Russia.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I volunteer A green rat squad to go in and reclaim whatever has already been sent.

 

[THEAP99]

This is getting stupid. Why deprive individuals for the actions of the ones in charge?

 

[Interfectum]

 

[Pedro Motta]

This is getting stupid. Why deprive individuals for the actions of the ones in charge?

So that people inside that country turn on their leaders when they see what they're losing.

 

[LOLCats]

This is getting stupid. Why deprive individuals for the actions of the ones in charge?

Youre not wrong, but now there is no going back.

 

[Banjo64]

I volunteer A green rat squad to go in and reclaim whatever has already been sent.

Me and the squad getting ready;

 

[Lone Wolf]

So that people inside that country turn on their leaders when they see what they're losing.

It shouldn’t be up to tech companies. The United States is still buying oil from Russia. NoBody cares about that though.

 

[Interfectum]

So that people inside that country turn on their leaders when they see what they're losing.

So US corporations and government fucking with a populace in hopes they overthrow the current regime and put in a more US friendly version of it. Those usually work out pretty well. Thanks Apple and MS for helping!

 

[Nezzeroth]

Not agreeing with the US government and invading a foreign country and killing civilians seems a little bit different, call me crazy.

 

[Pedro Motta]

It shouldn’t be up to tech companies. The United States is still buying oil from Russia. NoBody cares about that though.

So US corporations and government fucking with a populace in hopes they overthrow the current regime and put in a more US friendly version of it. Those usually work out pretty well. Thanks Apple and MS for helping!

You guys are correct, and no one is saying that isn't true or that the US are saints in all of this.

But in this particular case, a revolution from the inside is the only safe getaway from this situation that won't put Europe back in the stone age.

 

[Captain Toad]

This is getting stupid. Why deprive individuals for the actions of the ones in charge?

To put pressure on the government every way possible before resorting to war.

This isn't about punishing Russian citizens.

 

[Interfectum]

Not agreeing with the US government and invading a foreign country and killing civilians seems a little bit different, call me crazy.

Has Microsoft ever stopped doing business with the US?

 

[Alx]

So US corporations and government fucking with a populace in hopes they overthrow the current regime and put in a more US friendly version of it. Those usually work out pretty well. Thanks Apple and MS for helping!

Technically Putin is supposed to be an elected leader, so the population is responsible for his politics, and they should be able to elect someone else if they don't like the consequences.
Of course it's not that simple with rigged elections, but a country and its population will always be linked together.

 

[Lone Wolf]

Activision acquisition will go through without a hitch now. big Tech and big government go together like lamb and tuna fish.

 

[RoadHazard]

It shouldn’t be up to tech companies. The United States is still buying oil from Russia. NoBody cares about that though.

That should definitely also stop. Same with EU countries doing it.

 

[Captain Toad]

It shouldn’t be up to tech companies. The United States is still buying oil from Russia. NoBody cares about that though.

No one cares?? It's one of the biggest talking points in the country right now and in Washington.

Of course, US should stop buying Russian oil ASAP, and I believe they will.

 

[Blood Borne]

I hope all these virtue signalling companies keep the same energy for China when they invade Taiwan.

Also why didn’t these do the same when US invaded and caused havoc in the Middle East?

 

[Sophist]

This is getting stupid. Why deprive individuals for the actions of the ones in charge?

Maybe because Microsoft doesn't want to fund, directly or indirectly, the Russia army?

 

[Interfectum]

I hope all these virtue signalling companies keep the same energy for China when they invade Taiwan.

If it effects their quarterly earnings, they won't. Shitting on Russia is easy and they don't lose much for it.

 

[Swift_Star]

So that people inside that country turn on their leaders when they see what they're losing.

To this is Russia, I don’t see this ending well. I don’t think the citizens will actually revolt.

 

[adamsapple]

Yeah this is a scary precedent.

All our online work tools can be disconnected in a minute.

 

[Blood Borne]

To put pressure on the government every way possible before resorting to war.

This isn't about punishing Russian citizens.

Typical disgusting collectivist mindset, it’s ok to break some few eggs as long as we achieve our desired goals. The ends justifies the means. Evil.

 

[Lone Wolf]

No one cares?? It's one of the biggest talking points in the country right now and in Washington.

Of course, US should stop buying Russian oil ASAP, and I believe they will.

In order to stop, we have to get it somewhere else, or produce more, like we did before Biden shut it down. I don’t expect that to happen.

 

[HTK]

I agree with some of these measures but where is the outrage when it was happening in Syria or Palestine. Double standard is unreal.

 

[Sean Mirrsen]

That might hurt business big time in Russia.

Not a chance. Remember what country you mention. We'll be back to pirating Windows like we always did.

 

[DeepEnigma]

So that people inside that country turn on their leaders when they see what they're losing.

Putting more lives at risk.

Great logic from the comfy confines of the silicon valley belt.

 

[Interfectum]

I agree with some of these measures but where is the outrage when it was happening in Syria or Palestine. Double standard is unreal.

The U.S. Hegemony is feeling threatened so all hands on deck.

 

[Bernd Lauert]

Stop buying Russian oil, you twats.

 

[Sophist]

Stop buying Russian oil, you twats.

"Demand for Russian oil has collapsed since the assault on Ukraine began as refineries, banks and shipowners shun the country’s vast commodities market. Energy Aspects, a consultancy, said 70 per cent of Russian crude was “struggling to find buyers”."
"Urals was trading at a discount of more than $18 a barrel on Wednesday to physical Brent in north-west Europe, a record in the post Soviet era."

Oil soars to $113 as European energy groups shun Russian crude

Big energy consumers race to find supplies from other markets while Opec resists calls to boost production

www.ft.com

 

[winjer]

By this rate, with all entertainment companies pulling out, Russians will only be able to play tick tack toe.

 

[Roxkis_ii]

Not being about to get an Xbox is one thing, but to not have access to Microsoft business apps!? That's going to hurt a lot of businesses.

 

[LordBlodgett]

I really hate the idea of punishing the people in these situations. It only plays into Russia's propaganda and drive to stir up nationalism. "Westerners hate you and want to destroy you, only daddy Putin cares about you". Sure in the US you gain a minor pr win with the rabid cancel everything we don't agree with morons. But overall it's just so short sighted. We won the cold war through soft power, and now we want to lose that goodwill among the people by denying petty shit that only harms the average Joe.

 

[Captain Toad]

Typical disgusting collectivist mindset, it’s ok the break some few eggs as long as we achieve our desired goals. The ends justifies the means. Evil.

The goal of avoiding nuclear war? Um, yeah.

 

[Fbh]

Microsoft trying to drive the price down before they acquire Russia next Wednesday

So that people inside that country turn on their leaders when they see what they're losing.

That's one outcome.
They might also drive an increase in nationalism and a deeper hatred towards the west in the people as Russian authorities censors everything and push a strong narrative about these being unjustified actions by US/EU countries to hurt the Russian people

While I agree with the overall sentiment of the Tweet, I'd argue that invading another country and threatening the western world with Nukes if they interfere is a slight step up from "disagreeing with the US govt"

 

[MikeM]

Not a chance. Remember what country you mention. We'll be back to pirating Windows like we always did.

MS has a lot of important services which are subscription based.

I really hate the idea of punishing the people in these situations. It only plays into Russia's propaganda and drive to stir up nationalism. "Westerners hate you and want to destroy you, only daddy Putin cares about you". Sure in the US you gain a minor pr win with the rabid cancel everything we don't agree with morons. But overall it's just so short sighted. We won the cold war through soft power, and now we want to lose that goodwill among the people by denying petty shit that only harms the average Joe.

I think its more that “Russia fucked up and is being completely isolated from the global economy.” This is a good show of what can happen to an economy should you try to extend your borders illegally.

 

[intbal]

This is a mistake.

 

[AllyITA]

this is russia.. since when do they pay for software?
they'll keep cracking it as usual

(not referring to xbox obviously)

 

[Interfectum]

MS has a lot of important services which are subscription based.

I think its more that “Russia fucked up and is being completely isolated from the global economy.” This is a good show of what can happen to an economy should you try to extend your borders illegally.

The US has overused sanctions to the point where Russia was no doubt prepared for a lot of this. And with the backing of China and India they'll be fine and this will only hurt the US dollar long term. We've pulled this card way too many times.

You can bet Tencent and others are tripping over themselves to provide cloud services where MS has pulled out.

 

[DeathScentance]

Microsoft: No more vidya for you naughty Russians
Putin: Hey gamers... ya bored? Here's a real PK... Let's go play.

 

[Blood Borne]

The goal of avoiding nuclear war? Um, yeah.

It’s the opposite. This will actually provoke a nuclear war. Pushing him to the edge further and further.

 

[Sean Mirrsen]

MS has a lot of important services which are subscription based.

Not on Windows XP and MSDOS they don't.

 

[reksveks]

Not a chance. Remember what country you mention. We'll be back to pirating Windows like we always did.

Microsoft doesn't really give a fuck nowadays

 

[ZoukGalaxy]

Yeah sure, it will help to stop war for sure.

/s

 

[M1chl]

This is getting stupid. Why deprive individuals for the actions of the ones in charge?

To rise, protest and overthrow the shitty government, easy as that.

 

[kraspkibble]

good. has sony done it yet?

edit: and anyone saying stuff like "why punish people because of putin?" or "that'll stop the war for sure!" don't know wtf they are talking about. get out your cave and join the real world.

 

[existensmaximum]

Great. This is the right thing to do.

 

[Interfectum]

To rise, protest and overthrow the shitty government, easy as that.

Super easy and brave from the comfort of Redmond, Washington to try to force a poor populace to put their lives on the line by being party to stripping them of everything. Big tech really is out to save the world.

 

[existensmaximum]

Yeah sure, it will help to stop war for sure.

/s

Yeah, it might actually. If everyone does it.