Linux creator Linus Torvalds supported the decision to exclude Russian developers from the list of Linux kernel contributors. This measure is related to new US sanctions aimed at the Russian technology sector.
This week, Linus Torvalds supported the news that about a dozen Russian developers have been suspended from working on the Linux kernel. This was first reported by Greg Croix-Hartman, another top Linux developer, citing “compliance requirements.” Torvalds said US sanctions are a sufficient explanation for such a change. This has raised concerns among developers, who believe the move goes against the ideal of open source, where the source code should remain available to all.
The recent strengthening of US technology sanctions has limited the activities of companies related to the Russian technology industry. Recent changes also affected Docker Hub and other platforms, which stopped providing services to Russian users. Most of the suspended developers work for sanctioned organizations. To return to the project, developers must provide documents confirming their independence from sanctioned organizations.
Sanctions imposed on Russian companies made it difficult for many Russian programmers to work on the project. The exclusion of Russian developers from the Linux project has sparked a debate about the balance between security and open source principles. In the context of geopolitical instability and severe sanctions, cooperation between international developers in the field of open source can be questioned, especially for such important projects as Linux.