Gab goes dark after Pittsburgh attack
October 29, 2018
GoDaddy, which provides web hosting services, gave far-right social media network Gab.com 24 hours to move their domain to another registrar before it would terminate its contract on Monday.
Gab.com was reportedly used by 46-year-old Robert Bowers, the main suspect in a shooting at a synagogue in the US city of Pittsburgh that killed 11 people.
Roughly two hours before the attack, Bowers took to Gab.com to say he was "going in" after accusing a Jewish nonprofit that helps resettle refugees of bringing "invaders in that kill our people."
"We apologize for nothing because we did nothing wrong," said Gab.com in a tweet. "We are doubling down on free speech and individual liberty and nothing you say or do will change that."
'Encourages violence'
The social media platform, touted as an uncensored "free speech" alternative to Twitter and Facebook, said it was "proudly working with" the Department of Justice and FBI "to bring justice to an alleged terrorist."
A GoDaddy spokesman said the company had taken its decision in response to Gab.com violating its terms of service by hosting content that "promotes and encourages violence against people."
Read more: Gab: Twitter for the alt-right
After news emerged that companies like GoDaddy and PayPal were denying access to their services, one of the platform's users said: "You are going to get shot at ur (sic) local synagogues." Another user posted: "I was right, they faked the synagogue shooting."
Gab.com has accused companies denying it services, including Apple and Google, of undermining free speech. "Gab.com is under attack. We have been systematically no-platformed by app stores, multiple hosting providers and several payment processors," it said on the website.
The company added "Gab isn't going anywhere" and said it would explore other avenues, including cryptocurrencies, to stay afloat.
Read more: Understanding the populist narrative
'Largest hate site on the web'
The company's Twitter account urged US President Donald Trump to take action "before it is too late." Some analysts have accused Trump of contributing to a rise in hate crimes, including hate speech and violence against minority groups in the US.
Heidi Beirich, who heads Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project, said "Gab, in some ways, is the largest hate site on the web," according to a tweet from the advocacy organization.
The platform's notable users include Andrew Anglin, founder of the neo-Nazi website Daily Stormer, and far-right activist Milo Yiannopoulos.
Read more: US neo-Nazi groups on the rise under President Donald Trump: report
ls/msh (Reuters, AFP, AP)