Audio streaming platform Spotify has announced that it is suspending services in Russia as a response to the country’s newly imposed media rules. “Spotify has continued to believe that it’s critically important to try to keep our service operational in Russia to provide trusted, independent news and information from the region,” the company said in a statement. “Unfortunately, recently enacted legislation further restricting access to information, eliminating free expression, and criminalizing certain types of news puts the safety of Spotify’s employees and the possibility of even our listeners at risk.” Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed into law a censorship bill in early March. Those who are found to have committed a crime as defined by the censorship bill will be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. Following the bill’s introduction, multiple media outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and Bloomberg announced plans to suspend reporting activities in …