Russian citizens are increasingly searching for pirated Microsoft products online after the company stopped in-country sales following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Google searches for Windows 10 activation methods in Russia have risen by 80 to 250 percent during the past 90 days, according to a June 27 report by Kommersant newspaper. One of the fastest-growing queries in June was for the free download of Microsoft Excel, with searches growing by 650 percent.
“End-consumers do not yet have problems with registering and activating products. As for legal entities, it all depends on whether the company is under sanctions or not,” Igor Martyushev, director of development of electronic services and software solutions at Marvel Distribution, said to Kommersant….