Googlers protest removal of Russian app as bend to government

Google's staff have join in criticising the tech giant, after it removed a voting app made by a Russian opposition personality, following pressure from the Russian government. — REUTERS

Google employees have joined the slew of politicians and activists blasting the internet giant for pulling a voting app from Russia’s opposition leader, a move critics say showed the company was caving in to the Kremlin.

Staff members complained over the weekend about the Google’s decision in internal forums and on memegen, a messaging board that has served as a breeding ground for protests within the company. Images circulating inside Google, which were viewed by Bloomberg News, spoofed its corporate creed about prioritising users. One picture depicts a man reading a magazine below the slogan, "Putin the user first.”