We are all well aware of the current invasion of Ukraine. The US and EU have denounced Russian leadership and imposed sanctions across the country impacting on the economy.
Many large corporations have began placing blocks on transactions within Russia.
Over the weekend Twitch announced that it would be following suit and withholding payments for the foreseeable future. Impacting a large amount of streamers who rely on this income for bills.
First reported by The Washington Post, in an email sent to one Twitter user HUN2R using a translation, it stipulates that:
“Payouts to the financial institution associated with your Twitch account have been blocked as a result of sanctions,”
“Twitch complies with economic sanctions imposed by the United States and other governments, and is complying with those imposed in response to the situation in Ukraine. These sanctions may limit or impact your access to payouts, ability to monetize your stream, and/or financially support other creators.”
The remaining funding source of pay outs for creators was Paypal. As of Saturday 5th March, Paypal suspended its services to those in Russia.
Twitter user Commander_Ivy tweeted to say:
An extremely worrying time for the public currently residing. Card firms based in the US have also ceased operating in the country. These include Mastercard, Visa, American Express alongside mobile payment providers Google/Apple Pay.
Reports of people rushing to ATM machines to withdraw what they can are in abundance online.
You have to ask, what will the Russian Government do to help those that cannot pay for essential living costs whilst the current invasion is ongoing? They surely cannot expect the general public to just 'cope' when it is not them making the decisions that has led to this.
What are your thoughts. Leave a comment below.
Sounds like Rascism just because there from Russia