The Anonymous Hacker Group Threatened Western Companies to Shut Down Operations in Russia Before It's Too Late
The Anonymous group is well-known for being powerful, and these companies could be their new targets.
Anonymous has turned its attention from Russian state media to the Western companies still doing business in Russia, and the pressure is getting louder. The hacker collective says brands have had enough time to pull out, and now they are being told to choose a side.
The situation puts global companies in a tough spot, especially as some have already suspended operations while others continue to stay in the market. That split has sparked plenty of reaction online, with people naming the brands they think should be next.
Now the warning is out, and the next move could decide which companies stay in Anonymous' crosshairs.
After targeting media close to the Russian regime, the hacker group Anonymous shifted its focus to Western companies still operating in Russia.
AnonymousAnonymous is widening its focus, and Western brands are now in the spotlight.
The group posted their warning on Twitter, announcing that they will target any Western brand that doesn't cease operations in Russia within 48 hours.
@YourAnonTVThey also posted a photo featuring some of the companies that are being warned.
YourAnonTV
The group used Halliburton and Schlumberger as examples for other companies.
@YourAnonTV
Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine's Prime Minister, tweeted that Nestlé will remain in the Russian market.
@Denys_Shmyhal
Here's a chart showing all of the brands that Nestlé owns.
iryna.shvy
NAZVA, a designer clothing brand, reposted some edited Nestlé chocolate bars that express their stance on the war.
nazva
The edited chocolate bars featured messages stating that the chocolate had the taste of tears, terror, pain, fear, and ash.
nazva
The chocolate bar wrapper depicted the devastation caused by the war in Ukraine, with blood pouring out of the chocolate.
nazva
It’s like Trump halting all trade with Spain over military support, a 48-hour ultimatum with real fallout.
The American tire company Bridgestone took the warning seriously and suspended all manufacturing and sales in Russia.
@Bridgestone
That warning clearly got some companies moving.
Many people had something to say about this warning, with some naming additional companies that need to be added to the list, such as Renault.
@jonny_b69
Franchises can apparently continue operating even without official corporate assistance.
@friartucknj
Philip Morris is another major company that should find its name on the list.
@fermerzpolissia
There was a lot of support for the Anonymous team.
@LenaFed74862000
Plenty of people online were on Anonymous' side.
This isn't the first time Anonymous has done a favor for humanity.
@KeepinItRealKat
This Ukrainian news outlet definitely appreciated this news.
@EuromaidanPress
No respect for companies that fuel Russia's military.
@JoanLon66891933
It's just blood money.
@vsevolodvr
Time to close those Citibank accounts.
@NGTRiga
Will Nestlé do the right thing?
@Flat___________
Boycott over blackmail, but not this time.
@warrenleightTV
We've seen countless forms of support for Ukraine, but what Anonymous is doing is a significant step in the right direction. This type of support is something we haven't seen often, but it's bound to be effective.
We hope these and all other companies heed this warning and stop funding the Russian war machine.
Want the latest on the “toughest consequences” warning after a drone hit the U.S. embassy in Tehran? Read this U.S. warning to Iran.
