Canva blocks Russia after pressure, joining global exodus as war drags on

Australia’s most successful private technology company, graphic design software firm Canva, is withdrawing entirely from Russia following pressure from the Australian-Ukrainian technology community and discussions with the Ukrainian embassy.

It had cut off payments from Russia on March 1, soon after the country’s invasion of Ukraine, but had kept its free service available there with anti-war design templates and a pro-peace banner. After Australian-Ukrainian activists began targeting the company in mid-May Canva stepped up its language but stopped short of pulling out of Russia, arguing it was aiding anti-war voices in the country.

Canva’s Cliff Obrecht announced the company is blocking Russia.

But it has reconsidered, with co-founder Cliff Obrecht declaring on Wednesday the company is blocking access to Russia indefinitely, which will affect about 1.4 million users.

Obrecht, who is Canva’s chief operating officer, said while the company was proud of its role earlier in the conflict raising awareness, the situation had changed. “Though there was room for voices and protest during the early stages of the war, the Russian government has now shut down the vast majority of communication channels, making it impossible for people to voice dissent,” Obrecht said in a blog post seen by this masthead.

“Those who do find workarounds or stand up in opposition to the government now face horrendous charges and prison sentences for speaking out.

“Most recently, in talking with the Ukrainian government to better understand the ongoing changes in the war, the decreasing impact that our platform can now have inside Russia became apparent to us,” Obrecht said.

“Our goal has always been to most effectively support Ukraine and respond in the manner most likely to help bring an end to the war, which is why we’re fully withdrawing from Russia today.”

Russia’s parliament passed a draconian law in early March that punishes people who spread “fake information” ⁠— widely seen as referring to anti-war statements ⁠— with up to 15 years jail.

The law was a major reason why local Ukrainian activists had told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age they did not agree with Canva’s initial argument for staying in the country, with one calling it “grotesquely illogical”. They later protested outside Canva’s inner Sydney offices in an unusual spectacle for a company that prides itself on social progressivism.

Uri Levitsky, a senior Australian Ukrainian technology worker, who campaigned for Canva to withdraw from Russia, said he applauded the company, and its co-founders Cliff Obrecht and Melanie Perkins, for their “noble decision”.

“Any company that does business in Russia, whether financial or not, is contributing to the unjust war with a peaceful neighbour that Russia is waging,” Levitsky said.

Another Australian software giant, Atlassian, has suspended licences of its collaboration tech to Russian state-owned firms and those that support the war but not small businesses in the country. Atlassian and other Australian tech firms could come under pressure to follow Canva’s stance.

Refunds will not be issued for Canva customers in Russia who have pre-paid, though that will be only a small number of accounts because of the payment ban it imposed in line with Western sanctions. In all, Canva’s 1.4 million users in Russia accounts for less than 2 per cent of its total customer base. Canva’s foundation has previously made a $US1 million donation to aid those affected by the war.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in which it has devastated cities and been accused of war crimes, is nearing its 100th day.

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