BATTERYFORPC BLOG
Microsoft stops selling products in Russia
Earlier this week, Microsoft removed RT's mobile apps from the Windows app store. Facebook, Google and YouTube have taken measures to restrict Russian state media from making money from ads on their platforms. Cisco, Oracle, Netflix and Spotify have also suspended operations in the country. Airbnb has stopped all bookings in Russia and Belarus, and has offered free housing to 100,000 refugees f ... Read more
2022-03-04 18:37:46
Ukraine says it is fighting first 'hybrid war'
Ukraine's cyber-security authority says it is fighting a war in the digital realm, as well as on the ground. The ministry says it is facing constant cyber-attacks against its government and infrastructure networks, with individual officials now being targeted. It claimed that its cyber-defences are repelling most attacks. But it added that the cyber-conflict with Russia was unprecedented, descr ... Read more
2022-03-04 18:33:15
Facebook hits out at Russia blocking its platforms
Facebook has hit out at a ban on its platforms introduced in Russia on Friday amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russia's communications regulator said the ban was a response to restrictions placed on its media there. It said there had been 26 cases of "discrimination" against Russian media by Facebook since October 2020. There were also reports that the use of Twitter had been restrict ... Read more
2022-03-04 18:32:23
Fitbit recalls Ionic watch following skin burns
Fitbit has recalled one of its fitness-tracking smartwatches due to the risk of it overheating and burning people. The company, now owned by Google, said it had issued a voluntary recall of the Fitbit Ionic watch. It will give people who purchased the device a refund of $299 (£225) and a discount on a replacement product. The Fitbit Ionic was manufactured between 2017 and 2020, and about 1.7 mi ... Read more
2022-03-04 18:31:45
Netflix pauses future projects in Russia
Streaming giant Netflix has announced it has paused all future projects and acquisitions from Russia. The company said it was assessing the impact of the current invasion of Ukraine. Filming for the production of Russian language series Zato will be halted. Elsewhere in tech, cloud computing company Oracle also said it has suspended operations in Russia. The two companies are the latest US tec ... Read more
2022-03-03 18:59:12
Bafta Games Awards: Returnal and It Takes Two lead nominations
It Takes Two, a co-operative game about a family break-up, and action title Returnal lead the way in the race for this year's Bafta Games Awards. They have each been nominated for eight of the famous golden masks. Bafta has been recognising the cultural impact of games since 2004 and the awards are arguably the most prestigious in the gaming industry. Ratchet and Clank, Forza Horizon 5, Psychon ... Read more
2022-03-03 18:58:44
Ukraine crisis: Crypto exchange boss rejects Russian user ban
The boss of one of the world's biggest crypto-currency exchanges has ruled out restricting ordinary Russians from using the service. Binance founder and chief executive Changpeng Zhao, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Many normal Russians do not agree with war." Major cryptocurrency exchanges have been asked by Ukraine to block Russian users. One financial expert warned the war co ... Read more
2022-03-02 18:28:35
Ukraine crisis: Satellite data firm asks for war images
Firms and space agencies that collect satellite imagery are being urged to share Ukraine and Eastern Europe data. The plea comes from Ukrainian-based satellite data firm EOS Data Analytics (EOSDA). It has said that it will put data suppliers in touch with Ukraine's deputy prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov. EOSDA's founder Max Polyakov said that it would provide "actionable intelligence" ... Read more
2022-03-02 18:28:06
Netflix pauses future projects in Russia
Streaming giant Netflix has announced it has paused all future projects and acquisitions from Russia. The company said it was assessing the impact of the current invasion of Ukraine. Filming for the production of Russian language series Zato will be halted. Elsewhere in tech, cloud computing company Oracle also said it has suspended operations in Russia. The two companies are the latest US tec ... Read more
2022-03-02 18:27:28
Apple to halt sales and limit services in Russia
Apple has become the latest major firm to halt all product sales in Russia, in a widening corporate backlash to the country's invasion of Ukraine. The iPhone giant said it was "deeply concerned" about the Russian invasion and stands with those "suffering as a result of the violence". Apple Pay and other services such as Apple Maps have also been limited. Google has also remo ... Read more
2022-03-01 19:38:25