5 ms·

I wonder what exactly were they worried would happen if they denied the request?

ai_what 2y ago
Russia often bans entire websites and IP ranges, making it harder for non-tech people to get certain software. Mozilla was likely hoping that nobody from the West would notice that they complied and removed the addons. Just goes to show you how all those "values" they stand for only matter when it doesn't make them lose any users.
- bluish29 2y ago
  Is it about values or just complying with local government laws/demands? If a western company for example bans sci-hub access because of US/EU demands then HN will be mostly, this is complying with local laws.
- csdreamer7 2y ago
  Eh, more likely a support person saw a government request and assumed it was something, something, court ordered take down and complied and forwarded it to the lawyer. Lawyer and CEO saw the press coverage and expedited the return.
- Borgz 2y ago
  >"In alignment with our commitment to an open and accessible internet, Mozilla will reinstate previously restricted listings in Russia," the group declared. "Our initial decision to temporarily restrict these listings was made while we considered the regulatory environment in Russia and the potential risk to our community and staff.
  - smsm42 2y ago
    Translation: "We hoped it would go quietly and not ruffle anybody's feathers, but it got a real lot of bad press, and we aren't ready to sacrifice so much for Putin's pleasure, so we are rolling it back".
- rcxdude 2y ago
  If I got a nastygram from the Kremlin I sure would spend some time figuring out if they have some leverage over me before I openly opposed it.
- spywaregorilla 2y ago
  You're throwing out a speculative guess as to why they did something and using it as evidence to judge their actions
kencausey 2y ago
If they have any contributors within the territory I think there is reason to be concerned for their long term safety. The original capitulation may have to been to have time to check.
- seventyone 2y ago
  yeah Putin's totally gonna throw some Firefox contributors out a window because of a checks notes browser extension
  - alittlepiglet 2y ago
    Don't know about windows, but they have jailed people for as much as liking a social media post.
    - dralley 2y ago
      Or holding up a blank piece of paper. Or holding up an imaginary piece of paper (I'm serious, look it up) It's absolutely comical https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW3W_lYO4DY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW3W_lYO4DY
  - Clamchop 2y ago
    Going off reporting, it's not as far-fetched as you're suggesting.
  - tapoxi 2y ago
    I mean, why not? Terrifies people and he has no negative repercussions.
  - Sakos 2y ago
    Is this your first time encountering an authoritarian regime? This would not be unexpected, surprising or out of the ordinary.
  - DoItToMe81 2y ago
    I hate to break it to you, but yeah. There are, sadly, many countries in the world that rely on petty and punitive action on harmless things online in order to frighten would-be "troublemakers". It's not just Russia, either. The UK does this almost three times as often.

Russia often bans entire websites and IP ranges, making it harder for non-tech people to get certain software. Mozilla was likely hoping that nobody from the West would notice that they complied and removed the addons. Just goes to show you how all those "values" they stand for only matter when it doesn't make them lose any users.

bluish29 2y ago
Is it about values or just complying with local government laws/demands? If a western company for example bans sci-hub access because of US/EU demands then HN will be mostly, this is complying with local laws.
csdreamer7 2y ago
Eh, more likely a support person saw a government request and assumed it was something, something, court ordered take down and complied and forwarded it to the lawyer. Lawyer and CEO saw the press coverage and expedited the return.
Borgz 2y ago
>"In alignment with our commitment to an open and accessible internet, Mozilla will reinstate previously restricted listings in Russia," the group declared. "Our initial decision to temporarily restrict these listings was made while we considered the regulatory environment in Russia and the potential risk to our community and staff.
- smsm42 2y ago
  Translation: "We hoped it would go quietly and not ruffle anybody's feathers, but it got a real lot of bad press, and we aren't ready to sacrifice so much for Putin's pleasure, so we are rolling it back".
rcxdude 2y ago
If I got a nastygram from the Kremlin I sure would spend some time figuring out if they have some leverage over me before I openly opposed it.
spywaregorilla 2y ago
You're throwing out a speculative guess as to why they did something and using it as evidence to judge their actions

kencausey 2y ago

If they have any contributors within the territory I think there is reason to be concerned for their long term safety. The original capitulation may have to been to have time to check.

seventyone 2y ago
yeah Putin's totally gonna throw some Firefox contributors out a window because of a checks notes browser extension
- alittlepiglet 2y ago
  Don't know about windows, but they have jailed people for as much as liking a social media post.
  - dralley 2y ago
    Or holding up a blank piece of paper. Or holding up an imaginary piece of paper (I'm serious, look it up) It's absolutely comical https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW3W_lYO4DY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW3W_lYO4DY
- Clamchop 2y ago
  Going off reporting, it's not as far-fetched as you're suggesting.
- tapoxi 2y ago
  I mean, why not? Terrifies people and he has no negative repercussions.
- Sakos 2y ago
  Is this your first time encountering an authoritarian regime? This would not be unexpected, surprising or out of the ordinary.
- DoItToMe81 2y ago
  I hate to break it to you, but yeah. There are, sadly, many countries in the world that rely on petty and punitive action on harmless things online in order to frighten would-be "troublemakers". It's not just Russia, either. The UK does this almost three times as often.