Russian oligarchs slowly taking over Russian tech industry?
Story byErnst-Jan Pfauth
Ernst-Jan Pfauth is the former Editor in Chief of Internet at NRC Handelsblad, as well as an acclaimed technology author and columnist. He a(show all)Ernst-Jan Pfauth is the former Editor in Chief of Internet at NRC Handelsblad, as well as an acclaimed technology author and columnist. He also served as The Next Web’s blog’s first blogger and Editor in Chief, back in 2008. AtDe Correspondent, Ernst-Jan serves as publisher, fostering the expansion of the platform.
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Here come the oligarchs
In the beginning of August,Alisher Usmanovannounced that he wanted to buy a20 percent stakein Russian search giantYandex. This man is the founder ofMetalloinvest(mining company, €3.3 billion a year) and owner of publishing house Kommersant.
Gentlemen like these two keep buying stakes in Internet and tech companies. Many critics fear that at some point, these oligarchs might partner up with Putin to secure the government’s control on this booming and important industry. During the announcements of the LiveJournal and Kommersant acquisitions,storms of protest arose. All without any consequences.
I hope these critics are mistaking, but I’m afraid that in a few years, we have to admit they had been right all along.
