Snapchat Halts Ad Sales to Russian, Belarusian Entities Amid Attack on Ukraine

variety.com:

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorSnap, the parent company of Snapchat, is the latest internet company to weigh in on the Russian attack on Ukraine.

The social messaging and media company said it has stopped running all advertising in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine and is halting ad sales to all Russian and Belarusian entities as part of “complying with all sanctions targeting Russian businesses and individuals.”The company said it continues to offer the Snapchat application in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia “as it remains an important communications tool for family and friends.”The company noted that Ukraine is the birthplace of Looksery, the company whose technology laid the foundation for Snap’s augmented reality platform, “and has been the home of more than 300 of Snap’s most creative and talented team members.” Snap has pledged more than $15 million in humanitarian aid to support organizations providing direct relief to the people of Ukraine. “Many of our friends and teammates remain in Ukraine.

Some have joined the fight to defend their country,” the company said in a blog post. “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.