Zurich insurance group removes Z logo from social media
Response to the war in Eastern Europe
:
Zurich insurance group removes Z logo from social media
Zurich The Ukraine war gave the letter “Z” a new and problematic meaning. The Zurich insurance group has now reacted and removed its logo from social media.
A white “Z” on a blue background: this is the logo of the Swiss insurance group Zurich. The company is temporarily splitting its logo due to the problematic symbolism of the letter ‘Z’: “We are temporarily removing the use of the letter ‘Z’ from the isolated channels where it appears and could be misinterpreted,” the company said in a statement to Reuters. In social networks such as Twitter or Instagram, the Zurich logo is now simply the name of the insurance company. Here, too, there is white writing on a blue background. But why did the insurance group feel compelled to take this step?
“Z” as support for Russia
The letter has become a symbol of support in Russia for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the character represents the slogan “For Victory”. The “Z” is emblazoned on many cars, tanks, buildings or on T-shirts in Russia. On social media, celebrities also add a capital “Z” to their names. It is still unclear whether Zurich wants to change its logo permanently: “We are monitoring the situation closely and will take further measures if necessary,” the insurance company said. The company had already announced in early March that it was no longer taking on new domestic customers in Russia and WILL NOT renew the local local business.
Use in Germany can be punishable
Showing the “Z” symbol may be punishable as public endorsement of Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to the Interior Ministry. As a spokesman said on Monday in Berlin, the security authorities have information that this symbol is already being used in Germany – so far mainly in the form of “color daubing”.
Of course, the letter itself is not forbidden, explains the spokesman. But the Russian war of aggression is a crime. “And anyone who publicly approves of this war of aggression can also make themselves liable to prosecution.” The federal security authorities have that in mind.
Several federal states have already announced that they anticipate the public showing of the symbol. The basis is Section 140 of the Criminal Code on “accounting for criminal offences”. Accordingly, this can be punished with up to three years imprisonment or a fine. In Berlin, showing the “Z” symbol of the Russian armed forces is to be prosecuted. “If the context of the war is created with the use of the white Z, as can be seen on the Russian military vehicles, then of course that means advocating the war of aggression,” Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) told the Tagesspiegel on Monday: “That would be punishable , we will intervene immediately.”