As the world watches Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in real time, leading tech companies have launched initiatives to support Ukrainians in their resistance to Russian aggression.
From fighting misinformation to promoting connections with the outside world, to providing humanitarian aid to organizing fundraising events, these companies are using their resources and expertise to help Ukraine fight for sovereignty.
Ukraine is a hotbed of IT talent
During the Cold War, Ukrainian nationals such as Valentin Glushko and Vladimir Chelomei were at the forefront of rocket technology and aerospace development.
After independence in 1991, Ukraine continued to emphasize science and technology, and the 2015 Law on Scientific and Technological Activities strengthened institutional support for the national innovation system.[1]
This has led to a significant growth in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, which accounts for more than 40% of the country’s total exports.[2]
A 2020 study by DAXX found that there are more than 200,000 technologists in Ukraine, and about 85% of them work in software development.[3]
Since the outbreak of hostilities, dozens of companies have tried to hire some of the 10 million displaced Ukrainians through sites such as Remote Ukraine.[4]
Google uses resources to assist Ukraine
In the days following the February 24 Russian invasion, Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, donated $15 million and in-kind support to aid relief efforts in Ukraine. This includes $5 million in employee matching donations and $5 million in direct grants.
On March 4, Google pledged an additional $10 million to help organizations provide immediate and long-term assistance to refugees in Poland.[5]
Google’s security team has been working hard to protect Ukrainian users and government agencies from DDoS attacks, which have primarily targeted the foreign and interior ministries and Liveuamap, a service designed to help people find information.
The Ukrainian news service is one of more than 150 domestic websites that are now protected under the extended eligibility of Project Shield, a free service from Google that defends news, human rights and election monitoring services.[6]
On March 18, Google Business Profiles introduced a new category of business attributes, called “urgent assistance,” that companies can use to show they’re helping in a crisis like Ukraine’s.
These properties, located under the Info tab of your Google Business Profile account, let customers know that an organization is accepting donations, hiring refugees, looking for volunteers, or offering free products and services.
Other Google moves to help Ukrainians include highlighting air raid sirens and sirens in Google Play, waiving international call charges to and from Ukraine in Google Fi, and suspending most commerce within Russia.[7]
Microsoft also uses its expertise to prevent cyberattacks
Microsoft is leveraging its capabilities and resources to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Eastern Europe.
Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence Center responded quickly to the cyberattack on Ukraine’s digital infrastructure, writing a signature to detect and block the malware known as FoxBlade just three hours after it was initially detected.[8]
Microsoft also uses other parts of its business to help the public find and support humanitarian organizations. It continues to mobilize resources to support nonprofits such as the IRC, UNICEF and Humanitarian Action Poland.[9]
Search giant fights misinformation
To combat the spread of misinformation about the conflict, Microsoft has worked with Google to block Russian state media, including RT and Sputnik News. They also blocked the ability of Russian state media to monetize and advertise on their platforms, which include YouTube, Google News, MSN.com, Facebook and Twitter.[10]
In retaliation, Russian President Vladimir Putin banned Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, calling them “extremist groups”. However, the sites are fighting back, with Twitter releasing a version of Tor that bypasses Russian censorship.[11]
Other tech companies do what they can
It’s not just search engines that provide resources to help the people of Ukraine. Other tech companies are also helping.
Amazon is donating $5 million to provide on-the-ground support, while its Welcome Door program aims to provide employment support for refugees.[12]
Also providing humanitarian support to Ukrainian citizens and Eastern European refugees are Apple, which matches employee donations 2:1, Salesforce pledging $2 million, and Epic Games and Xbox, which donated two weeks of Fortnite proceeds, totaling $3,600 Ten thousand U.S. dollars.[13]
Elon Musk’s SpaceX sent thousands of Starlink satellite internet kits to help Ukrainians stay connected to the outside world, even before Ukrainian government officials made a request on Twitter on Feb. 26. .[14]
Featured image: kovop58/Shutterstock
