cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/8915892
(original article in Swedish that reported this)
Posting this because I hadn't heard about it before and I'm probably not the only Mullvad user here, so might as well.
The party claims to stand for a "class-conscious populism" which according to party leader Markus Allard takes inspiration from marxist ideology and unites the "productive" classes of society against the "Transferiat", with the "Transferiat" being a term coined by Allard to describe the classes of society that lives off transfers that are a net negative for society such as those who, despite having an ability to work, live off social welfare benefits, as well as those who work "made-up services"[...]
The party differs from modern day left-wing parties by seeing the working class as co-dependent with people working in enterprise and business and instead sees the classes that "live off transfers", as specified, as a large economic net-negative and an obstacle for a functional society.
Their ideology is nonsense fake-marxist revisionism to redirect anger at capitalism and turn it against immigrants and people who need social welfare (though they do back some generally left oriented social policies, their main thing appears to be racism)
Even if you're comfortable with funding this, it still begs the question of just how trustworthy Mullvad actually is.
I guess this still beats any of the dozens of Israeli VPNs that definitely spy on you, but it's not great
scummy af with this deflection. as if anyone would want the money they paid for a service funneled to bad actors regardless of who is doing it..
“shitty to hold Mullvad accountable for this “ No. It’s not. Hold them accountable. Co-founder must have known that Berntsson has fascist tendencies. That’s kinda hard to hide
By all accounts, he seems to have been a fairly standard TESCREAL-adjacent high-decoupling libertarian until now, like a lot of tech founders. While some of these end up steelmanning fascism and coming to the conclusion that it’s pretty neat, it by no means follows.
Fuck off idiot.
if the company put out a fencesitting statement instead of bringing him consequences, at best they don't care
regardless, paying for a service that pays for fascism is something that might put them in trouble if they don't deal with it.
that is if people care. that has to be a consideration these days.
if this amounts to something remains to be seen
Well, it's not like the other founder approved his political donations. I think it's a fair enough point to make, it is a private donation, and not a company donation.
In a privately owned company, the wishes of the owners are the wishes of the company. Especially with political actions, treating them as completely separate is just putting blinders on.
Sure, but there are two owners. It's possible to start a company with someone that has different views, or ones that diverge over time. You can't really blame the other guy for his partner's opinions.
So what should they do? Liquidate the company? Should the reasonable person leave the company he built? The guy the internet doesn't like might still be ok to work with, and equally not want to leave. Should you get in trouble for your coworker's opinions?
Yes
a private donation with our money.