Microsoft to remove RT apps, ban Russian state-owned media ads

FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen on a TV screen in a hotel during a live news broadcast of the Russia Today (RT) channel TV, after Russia launched a massive military operation against Ukraine, in Madrid, Spain, February 27, 2022. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

(Reuters) - Microsoft Corp said on Monday it would remove Russian state-owned media outlet RT's mobile apps from the Windows App store and ban advertisements on Russian state-sponsored media, as global tech firms respond to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The company said it would not display any state-sponsored RT and Sputnik content, de-rank their search results on Bing and not place any ads from its ad network on those sites.