StackOverflow has banned any use of the"Z" symbol

The popular question-and-answer system for professional programmers and enthusiasts, StackOverflow, has banned the use of the "Z"symbol. The corresponding message was posted in the stack Moderators community on StackOverflow, Yuri Salimovsky, one of the platform's moderators, told DOU.

"Recently, the topic of "Z" images was raised (in particular, whether to remove them from profiles). After a long internal discussion, we realized that we could not ignore the growing connotation around this image, and decided not to allow the Z image on the platform," the statement said.

At the same time, the company explained that this decision was made in connection with the adoption of this symbol by those who want to declare their support for aggression against the sovereign people of Ukraine.

"Because of this, we have decided to classify this symbol as a violation of our Code of rules, in accordance with our policy of prohibiting harassment," the note says.

At the same time, the platform will continue to allow the use of flags "to express pride in your country." The company added that in general, they do not plan to allow statements in direct support of the invasion of Ukraine.

Stack Overflow is a private website, the main one on the Stack Exchange Network, created by Jeff Atwood and Joel Spolsky in 2008. it contains questions and answers on a wide range of programming-related topics. It was created as an alternative, more open version of similar sites, such as Experts-Exchange.

The website serves as a platform where users can ask questions and leave answers to other users ' questions, rate other questions or answers as useful or useless, and edit them like Wikipedia or Reddit. Users of the site can receive Authority points and "awards".