Google is halting billing on its Play mobile app store, as well as payment-based services for YouTube users in Russia, citing “payment system disruption” caused by Western sanctions against Russian banks.
The news, first reported by Reuters, came in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the hastily imposed sanctions on Russian banks as the West chose an economic reaction to Putin’s assault in Europe.
Google acknowledged the Play payment suspension in a support letter on its Android developer website, writing:
“We will be stopping Google Play’s billing mechanism for users in Russia in the coming days due to payment system outage.” This implies that Google Play customers in Russia will be unable to purchase applications and games, make subscription payments, or make any in-app purchases of digital products. The Play Store will continue to offer free apps.”
It’s unclear whether the banking sanctions that are currently disrupting payments on Play and YouTube will also force Google to suspend any remaining ad sales in Russia — according to Reuters, YouTube channels in Russia will still be able to generate revenue from viewers outside the country through ads and paid features, implying that the cutoff isn’t complete. However, it appears to be getting worse.
Other internet titans, such as Apple, Airbnb, and Microsoft, have taken similar actions in recent days to halt sales and activities in Russia, joining a rising list of multinationals boycotting or withdrawing from the country in protest of Putin’s conflict in Ukraine.