In an emphatic decision announced on October 18, 2023, Linus Torvalds confirmed the expulsion of approximately twelve Linux kernel maintainers linked to Russia. This action was communicated by kernel developer Greg Kroah-Hartman through the Linux kernel mailing list, citing 'various compliance requirements' as the rationale behind this removal, without providing detailed explanations.

Background and Controversy

This move has sparked significant debate, especially as all the removed maintainers had recognizable Russian (.ru) email domains. The timing of the expulsion aligns with ongoing US sanctions against Russia, following its aggressive actions in Ukraine since February 2022. These sanctions target various sectors, including technology, thus influencing decisions within global communities like Linux.

The maintainers who were removed largely contributed to the support of drivers essential for compatibility with hardware brands such as Acer and Cirrus Logic. Despite their removal, the driver code remains unaffected and operational within the Linux ecosystem.

Torvalds' Stance

Addressing queries and criticism from the community, Linus Torvalds, known for his candid communication style, dismissed the criticisms as orchestrated by 'Russian trolls'. He clearly stated that the decision was definitive, and attempts to undermine it through anonymous online campaigns would be futile. Torvalds emphasized that compliance checks are not exclusive to the US, referring to the widespread global awareness of Russian sanctions.

He stated, "If you haven’t heard of Russian sanctions yet, you should try to read the news some day. And by 'news', I don’t mean Russian state-sponsored spam." In response to inquiries about reversing the changes, Torvalds sarcastically pointed out his Finnish heritage, asserting his opposition to Russian hostilities.

Looking Forward

With the dismissal still a hot topic within the Linux community, the debate raises questions about the intersection of open-source development and international politics. The Linux Foundation, representing the core of open-source collaboration based in the US, has remained silent on this issue.

Further developments could impact the participation of contributors from sanctioned countries in global tech projects. The situation reflects broader geopolitical tensions and their increasing influence on the tech industry.

For more on this story, visit the original report from The Register.