Technology companies have been blamed for many of the ills happening online or on social media. Allegations against them range from disinformation to privacy issues to manipulation of data.
Their response to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, however, is making them look good. Their actions show the world that digital technology and their companies can be weapons for the public good.
Kudos to Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for acting swiftly to help Ukraine win the information war by curtailing service and access from Russia to prevent the invader from managing information. Some of these companies acted on their own while others responded to calls for restrictions from the European Union (EU).
Reports said Google stopped displaying real-time traffic information on Google Maps to protect Ukraine citizens as the maps could show their locations; stopped showing Google ads on Russian state media; increased security measures; and removed YouTube channels and thousands of videos for violating its Community Guidelines. “In this extraordinary crisis, we are taking extraordinary measures to stop the spread of misinformation and disrupt disinformation campaigns online,” Google president of global affairs Kent Walker said in a company statement on March 1, 2022.
SpaceX of Elon Musk sent a truckload of Starlink antennas to keep Ukrainians connected to the internet despite Russia’s attacks on communication centers. Musk was responding to the call for help by Ukraine officials. Starlink is the satellite internet network operated by SpaceX.
Microsoft acted against cyberattacks targeting several civilian sites in Ukraine just before the launch of the Russian military action. It also stopped new sales of its products and services in Russia in line with sanctions decided by the EU.
Apple decided to stop offering downloads of RT (Russia Today) News and Sputnik News outside of Russia. These two media outfits are Russian news channels said to be used by President Vladimir Putin to justify the invasion. Live traffic information has been suspended on Apple Maps in Ukraine as a safety measure.
Meta has ordered its social networks, namely, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, to restrict access to RT and Sputnik across the EU. Twitter also removed anti-Ukraine disinformation posts. Meta released a new tool in Ukraine that would allow users to lock their Facebook profile, so those who are not their friends cannot download or share their profile photo or see posts on their timeline.
It was refreshing to see these tech giants take action to support Ukraine. The critique against these companies tends to dwell on how their tools are being used in political disinformation campaigns and other unethical and criminal acts. Their usual defense is that they are merely platforms with no control over the content. Their actions on the Russia-Ukraine crisis proved them differently because they showed they can take sides and can be a partner in the fight against evil.