KSE Institute develops barcode scanner detecting if businesses left Russian market

A barcode scanner that allows you to identify products of consumer sector companies that have not left the Russian market was developed by the team of the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) within the "Self-sanctions / Leave Russia" project, Rubryka reports.

What is the problem?

While global pressures mount against Russia through sanctions and more discussions arise about the potential consequences of a military defeat in Ukraine, numerous internationally recognized companies continue operating within the Russian market. What's more, they directly support the occupying Russian army.

After the invasion began, more companies shut down their operations in Russia until spring 2022. But in the last 11 months, the number of companies leaving or staying hasn't changed.

What is the solution?

The team of the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) as part of the "Self-sanctions/Leave Russia" project, has developed a barcode scanner that allows you to identify products of consumer sector companies that have not left the market of the Russian Federation.

How does it work?

To check the product's manufacturer, you need to use your smartphone to open the scanner on the project website or go to the Telegram bot and then point the camera at the barcode. The scanner is available in Ukrainian and English.

"Currently, the KSE database contains the world's most comprehensive information on the activities of global corporations on the Russian market," the institute assures.

With the help of a chatbot based on ChatGPT AI, the project created a list of more than 7,500 main brands and trademarks of the consumer sector, which are still working in Russia.

"Companies that do not leave Russia understand only one language – profit. Do not buy the products of these companies," said the president of the Kyiv School of Economics, Tymofii Mylovanov.

In July 2023, the KSE Institute identified eight more foreign companies that left the Russian market, and their total number since the beginning of the full-scale invasion has already reached 262.

As Rubryka reported, the National Agency for Corruption Prevention has created a database that will help track violations of anti-Russian sanctions in operations on the art market.