Well friends…

[spacefem]

I always joked that I didn’t trust the American tech companies so why throw rocks at livejournal for being a Russian one?

But at least American tech companies aren’t trying to openly start WWIII. As a paid user, I have to think a little about who I'm supporting.

Is this the end for us, livejournal friends? Are you leaving?

I have a dreamwidth

Comments

[kishenehn]

Please forgive the rant, but I've seen posts similar to this before and they just frustrate the hell out of me. The fact that a company happens to be based in Russia has absolutely nothing to do with the possibility that it might support Putin's imperialism ... and the inference that it does is just ridiculous. That would be the logical equivalent of saying that every country with a United States office should be boycotted, because the country once elected Donald Trump. It's fallacious and xenophobic, and honestly a little bit bigoted.

The fact of the matter is, that over the years LJ has been an important communication medium for those Russians who are resistant to Putin's rule ... so supporting LJ is a voice of support for free speech in Russia.

[kiwirazzi]

That is a very interesting point here about how LJ may be a tool for critical opinions in Russia.

But yeah, for now, I just don't feel comfortable about paying for an account here.

[harbourwitch]

I agree with you, point well made!

[sidleypkhermit]

^^^ Economic sanctions should isolate Putin, not the free speech outlets for people living under his autocratic rule.

[smittenbyu]

yes!! agree!! I hate Jeff Bezos and well, am an Amazon Prime member. I am not leaving LJ because of Russia. For the reasons you site. I am not leaving. Just posting at both places. I do think LJ might go down with all the sanctions come up. It sucks. But I don't think LJ is having any influence (as a company) on Putin's decision making. You said it way better.

[cactus_rs]

To be fair, LJ's ultimate owner is...an arm of the Russian state. To quote an LJ friend I have who is currently doing US embassy stuff in Eastern Europe, "Ultimately LJ is owned by Sberbank, which is a giant financial services holding company owned by the Russian government. (LJ is directly owned by Rambler media, which merged with/acquired S-UP