[ogurechny]

It is evident everyone CAN be coerced. Not that everyone WILL BE, because some people still think of themselves as people, not some “honest citizens” or “economic agents”.

It is also evident that someone quite far from Russia HAS ALREADY BEEN coerced to make that unannounced change, but you try really hard to look the other way. “Those Linux nerds” were shown who's the boss in the room when it comes to “important matters”. Don't you feel that the form of that change itself is a sign of silent disobedience, and you are expected to participate in public outcry forcing further developments instead of just bending over willingly?

It is totally possible that there was some direct intelligence that those accounts can be used in some clandestine operation in the future, probably without even asking some of the owners. After all, spies are #1 information source to other spies, they run the global spectacle together. Still, accepting “this is secret” as an excuse, you are already accepting defeat.

[Wytwwww]

The cost/risk to the Russian government of coercing someone to do anything is approximately zero. Not so much in the US/etc., the risk of negative consequences is not insignificant?

> were shown who's the boss in the room when it comes to “important matters”.

Or Linus just doesn't like Russia(ns)? Why is there a need for some conspiracy?