Freedom of speech and information by Google in Russia
The Issue
Dear Google Team,
The success story of Google is especially dear to the hearts of millions of Russians all over the world and particularly to those of us who immigrated to the U.S. It is a story of two smart and talented founders, one of whom is a son of immigrants from Russia who thrived on US soil. We think the fact that the U.S. is a country of deep democratic values and freedom of speech contributed to the success of Google, if not enabled it.
On September 17, 2021 we were shocked to learn that Google deleted the Navalny app from Google Play. Alexey Navalny is in a Russian jail after Putin ordered to poison him, but Alexey survived. The app was developed by the Navalny team – most of whom have subsequently been jailed in Russia or had to flee the country. Some members who fled were punished by having their elderly parents arrested by the regime. The app's purpose was to recommend region-by-region how to unite votes against Putin’s regime in Russia at the September elections of Russian Parliament “Duma”. Opposition candidates were banned from running at this election and an estimated 15 million votes were faked.
We understand that Google deleted the Navalny app in response to the threat by the Russian government to arrest and harm Google employees in Russia. There is one problem with criminal kleptocracies like Putin’s regime – they never stop. They will push you further.
Now the question is: was the threat posed by the Russian government legitimately so frightening that you made the decision to take down this app? Are people who arrest parents of political leaders that scary? People who propel a story of a tough KGB spy Putin who as a matter of fact worked a desk job in Soviet-friendly East Germany. People who hide behind nuclear weapons they inherited from the USSR but degraded to the point they likely don’t know where the button is. Did you get that scared?
When Putin’s clique asks you for more favors - we challenge you to stand by the values that define Google, the U.S., and American business – freedom of speech and access to information. We are asking you to provide access to information for the people in Russia. The core value of the 1st Amendment is that the US universally applies it to everyone– no matter what country. At least so far it did… And by the way, we think you could start with openly sharing who held your employees at the gunpoint in Moscow. We will google them.
Russian community
September 28th 2021
The Issue
Dear Google Team,
The success story of Google is especially dear to the hearts of millions of Russians all over the world and particularly to those of us who immigrated to the U.S. It is a story of two smart and talented founders, one of whom is a son of immigrants from Russia who thrived on US soil. We think the fact that the U.S. is a country of deep democratic values and freedom of speech contributed to the success of Google, if not enabled it.
On September 17, 2021 we were shocked to learn that Google deleted the Navalny app from Google Play. Alexey Navalny is in a Russian jail after Putin ordered to poison him, but Alexey survived. The app was developed by the Navalny team – most of whom have subsequently been jailed in Russia or had to flee the country. Some members who fled were punished by having their elderly parents arrested by the regime. The app's purpose was to recommend region-by-region how to unite votes against Putin’s regime in Russia at the September elections of Russian Parliament “Duma”. Opposition candidates were banned from running at this election and an estimated 15 million votes were faked.
We understand that Google deleted the Navalny app in response to the threat by the Russian government to arrest and harm Google employees in Russia. There is one problem with criminal kleptocracies like Putin’s regime – they never stop. They will push you further.
Now the question is: was the threat posed by the Russian government legitimately so frightening that you made the decision to take down this app? Are people who arrest parents of political leaders that scary? People who propel a story of a tough KGB spy Putin who as a matter of fact worked a desk job in Soviet-friendly East Germany. People who hide behind nuclear weapons they inherited from the USSR but degraded to the point they likely don’t know where the button is. Did you get that scared?
When Putin’s clique asks you for more favors - we challenge you to stand by the values that define Google, the U.S., and American business – freedom of speech and access to information. We are asking you to provide access to information for the people in Russia. The core value of the 1st Amendment is that the US universally applies it to everyone– no matter what country. At least so far it did… And by the way, we think you could start with openly sharing who held your employees at the gunpoint in Moscow. We will google them.
Russian community
September 28th 2021
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on September 28, 2021