Report: Acer Continued Computer Hardware Shipments to Russia

[AleksandarK]

According to the report from Reuters, Acer has apparently continued shipment of computer hardware to Russia, despite the firm supposedly suspending its operations in the country. With the war in Ukraine, on April 8 of, 2022, Acer published a statement: "Due to recent developments, Acer has decided to suspend its business in Russia." However, today Reuters reports that it has gained access to documents/data of customs that confirm that Acer has shipped computer hardware worth at least 70.4 million US Dollars between the period of April 8, 2022, and March 31, 2023.

Interestingly, Acer is a firm headquartered in Taiwan. However, Switzerland-based Acer Sales International SA entity shipped these units to Russia, thus not violating any Taiwanese sanctions to Russia that are in place. When asked about these shipments, Acer in Taiwan responded: "We strictly adhere to applicable international regulations and trade laws regarding exports to Russia." Additionally, the company stated that the Swiss subsidiary "had not shipped any laptops or desktops to Russia since April 8 last year." Still, instead, it had supplied a "limited number of displays and accessories to the Russian market for civilian daily use while ensuring compliance with international sanctions."



View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I like this....

Its basically plausible deniability but on a corporate level. Since they were caught in the act now its "But we only shipped monitors and peripherals for civilian use! Dont mention the war!"

I refuse to believe that shipments of that magnitude wasnt passed up the chain of command for greenlighting.

 

[bug]

Classic. "We're complying with the sanctions, but our subsidiary in Switzerland shipped goods because that's how you're being neutral."

 

[Space Lynx]

well I won't be buying Acer in the future.

 

[bonehead123]

well I won't be buying Acer in the future.

Well, I've never been a big fan of their stuff anyways, so this doesn't really affect my buying decisions, but it still sounds fishy and corrupt....

They probably had some exec talking behind the scense to a ruuski oligarch who said, " Hey man, we can help you make this look legit to the rest of the world, so here's our check for a gazzillion (essentially worthless) rubles"

 

[Dristun]

Almost everything in consumer electronics is still available in Russia and sometimes even cheaper in $USD terms than before due to relaxed customs controls. There are areas where sanctions have worked better - clothing, alcohol and cars spring to my mind first, but TVs, phones, fridges, everything PC-related and so on are business as usual.

 

[Deleted member 229121]

I'm not sure who I'm angrier with, Acer or The Swiss.

Its basically plausible deniability but on a corporate level. Since they were caught in the act now its "But we only shipped monitors and peripherals for civilian use! Dont mention the war!"

This might hold a sliver of weight to it if Russia wasn't one of the world's most notorious Kleptocracies.

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

This shouldn't be surprising...if it's calculated that it's more profitable to break the law and pay the fines, then that's exactly what they'll do.

 

[WorringlyIndifferent]

Hmm... Let's see, how much has this affected my view of Acer?

Ah. Not at all.


I've had Acer monitors before. In fact, the first high refresh monitor I bought was from Acer. It was a 24" 1080p 144Hz screen back around 2014, pretty crappy visually by today's standards, but worked just fine back then. I wouldn't hesitate to buy Acer again.

 

[LabRat 891]

Hmm... Let's see, how much has this affected my view of Acer?

Ah. Not at all.


I've had Acer monitors before. In fact, the first high refresh monitor I bought was from Acer. It was a 24" 1080p 144Hz screen back around 2014, pretty crappy visually by today's standards, but worked just fine back then. I wouldn't hesitate to buy Acer again.

This.

Lemme know when people start getting upset over slave labor, pollution, and human rights violations of countries where electronics are mostly manufactured, again...

Also,
considering TPU's treatment of other posts regarding technology and 'the war'...
How did this story even get published here?

If you can't talk about a Steam Deck being used for controlling drone weapons in Ukraine, why is it okay to talk about technology companies and Russia?
Seems like a flawed standard.

 

[Easo]

Is it time again for some outrage and empty calls for boycott?

I mean Armenia's import/export trippled (!) during last year. No one is doing anything about it and unlikely to ever will, even though everyone understands what those numbers mean.

 

[Bayfront Benny]

Too bad I didn't know this earlier. I just bought an acer graphics card and an acer monitor in the last 3 months.

 

[Iain Saturn]

Putin's war.

Not that of the citizens.

 

[R-T-B]

Lemme know when people start getting upset over slave labor, pollution, and human rights violations of countries where electronics are mostly manufactured, again...

Ah, whataboutism at it's finest I see.

 

[Deleted member 185088]

Why would I stop? Just because some brain-dead politicians are insecure about their genitals, doesn't mean the rest of us should follow their insanity.

 

[R-T-B]

Why would I stop? Just because some brain-dead politicians are insecure about their genitals, doesn't mean the rest of us should follow their insanity.

Son, we are talking about Acer, not you.

If you can't talk about a Steam Deck being used for controlling drone weapons in Ukraine, why is it okay to talk about technology companies and Russia?

Honestly there is a disconnect between moderators and news posters here.

Some posts are relevant news but ought to start locked IMO.

 

[Deleted member 229121]

Putin's war.

Not that of the citizens.

You think the citizens are getting any of this?
The only Kleptocracies that can top Russia are North Korea and an assortment of banana republics.

 

[Deleted member 185088]

Son, we are talking about Acer, not you.

By us I was referring anyone outside the brain-dead politicians including customers and companies.

 

[LabRat 891]

Ah, whataboutism at it's finest I see.

Nice to know we both view eachothers' opinions as invalid.
Thanks for the honesty.

 

[R-T-B]

Nice to know we both view eachothers' opinions as invalid.
Thanks for the honesty.

Nah, I just dislike whataboutism. Your opinion is valid but your debate choice is lacking.

Not that we should probably be debating anyways, so kind of a moot point, I guess.

 

[95Viper]

Threads that should/will be closed
Threads whose topic may be seen as political or religious or politically or religiously sensitive, this includes posts within a thread.