6 ms·

Epik's business model is to specifically cater to fascists. > Epik is known for providing services to websites with far-right content, such as the social netwo

Epik's business model is to specifically cater to fascists. > Epik is known for providing services to websites with far-right content, such as the social network Gab, video hosting service BitChute, conspiracy theory website InfoWars, and neo-Nazi message board website The Daily Stormer.[1][6][28] It was described in 2019 by Vice as "a safehaven for the extreme right" and in 2021 by The Seattle Times as "a home for far-right websites" because of its willingness to host far-right websites that have been denied service by other Internet service providers.[1][29][30] In 2021, The Daily Telegraph wrote that Epik was "a safe harbour for websites said to be enabling the spread far-right extremism and carrying Neo-Nazi content";[25] the same year, Fortune called the company the "right wing’s best friend online".[9] NPR reported in February 2021 that "when websites flooded with hate speech or harmful disinformation become too radioactive for the Internet, the sites often turn to [Epik] for a lifeline."[13] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epik_(company) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epik_(company) No need for quotes, bruh.

vorpalhex 5y ago
Freedom of speech isn't just a part of the US constitution - it's also a human right and ethical value. You can disagree with someone and still think they have rights.
- techrat 5y ago
  Ah yes, the mythical "rights of the might" that overrule peoples' rights depending on who feels their rights are more important. Why should anyone should suffer consequences for threats of harm online? You agree that someone should be allowed to threaten, harass, intimidate and harm someone else through speech online? Freedom of speech has never meant freedom from consequences of said speech. As far as I see it, Epik's hack is a consequence of the speech they allow. No need for government, constitution and laws to see the cause and effect here.
  - vorpalhex 5y ago
    Harassment and threats of violence are illegal. You can pursue criminal charges. You can't go burn down someone's house or kick them. > As far as I see it, Epik's hack is a consequence of the speech they allow. That's a scary logic and it's the kind of logic that harms societies. Most violent leaders have used this style of justification for their actions. We can not fight uncivility with uncivility. Doing so only makes the situation worse.
    - techrat 5y ago
      > Harassment and threats of violence are illegal. And Epik continued to host sites that were taken offline specifically for those reasons. That's your cognitive dissonance.
    - anigbrowl 5y ago
      I appreciate that you find it scary but that is to a large extent what it's like where the rubber meets the road. Pejorative political labels do get tossed around too easily, but there are are also honest-to-goodness violent neo-nazis and other fascists that go far beyond shitposting into planning and carrying out violent acts. Sadly, some of those people infiltrate law enforcement or the military. They're not hiding around every corner, but there are quite a lot of them and they are not all like the clowns that get themselves arrested in really obvious ways.
      - vorpalhex 5y ago
        Moral panics cause more harm than good. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_panic https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_panic
        techrat 5y ago
        Never thought I'd see the day where calling out a webhost known for giving shelter to white supremacist shooter manifestos and doxxing murder lists for atomwaffen would fall under 'moral panic.'
        anigbrowl 5y ago
  - rvz 5y ago
    So you are in defense of cyber-criminals in gaining unauthorised access to breaching someone else's internet business then? Such activity is illegal and those affected can report this and involve the authorities to track them down. It is now worse since innocent users are involved in this leak.
mikedilger 5y ago
If you provide service to everybody, then you provide service to unsavory types. That doesn't mean you cater to them. The alternative is 'cancel culture' which many people reject on principle because all it will do is tear the country in two.
- techrat 5y ago
  > That doesn't mean you cater to them. Heh. Pay attention... They specifically cater, not just host, but CATER to those who are unable to host elsewhere due to their content. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epik_(company) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epik_(company) > Epik is known for providing services to websites with far-right content, such as the social network Gab, video hosting service BitChute, conspiracy theory website InfoWars, and neo-Nazi message board website The Daily Stormer.[1][6][28] It was described in 2019 by Vice as "a safehaven for the extreme right" and in 2021 by The Seattle Times as "a home for far-right websites" because of its willingness to host far-right websites that have been denied service by other Internet service providers.[1][29][30] In 2021, The Daily Telegraph wrote that Epik was "a safe harbour for websites said to be enabling the spread far-right extremism and carrying Neo-Nazi content";[25] the same year, Fortune called the company the "right wing’s best friend online".[9] NPR reported in February 2021 that "when websites flooded with hate speech or harmful disinformation become too radioactive for the Internet, the sites often turn to [Epik] for a lifeline."[13]
- lizkm 5y ago
  >If you provide service to everybody, then you provide service to unsavory types. That doesn't mean you cater to them. Read what the CEO has to say about jewish people [0] [0] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rob-monster-epik-gab-neo-nazi_n_5c17bb29e4b05d7e5d846f72 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rob-monster-epik-gab-neo-nazi...

vorpalhex 5y ago

Freedom of speech isn't just a part of the US constitution - it's also a human right and ethical value. You can disagree with someone and still think they have rights.

techrat 5y ago
Ah yes, the mythical "rights of the might" that overrule peoples' rights depending on who feels their rights are more important. Why should anyone should suffer consequences for threats of harm online? You agree that someone should be allowed to threaten, harass, intimidate and harm someone else through speech online? Freedom of speech has never meant freedom from consequences of said speech. As far as I see it, Epik's hack is a consequence of the speech they allow. No need for government, constitution and laws to see the cause and effect here.
- vorpalhex 5y ago
  Harassment and threats of violence are illegal. You can pursue criminal charges. You can't go burn down someone's house or kick them. > As far as I see it, Epik's hack is a consequence of the speech they allow. That's a scary logic and it's the kind of logic that harms societies. Most violent leaders have used this style of justification for their actions. We can not fight uncivility with uncivility. Doing so only makes the situation worse.
  - techrat 5y ago
    > Harassment and threats of violence are illegal. And Epik continued to host sites that were taken offline specifically for those reasons. That's your cognitive dissonance.
  - anigbrowl 5y ago
    I appreciate that you find it scary but that is to a large extent what it's like where the rubber meets the road. Pejorative political labels do get tossed around too easily, but there are are also honest-to-goodness violent neo-nazis and other fascists that go far beyond shitposting into planning and carrying out violent acts. Sadly, some of those people infiltrate law enforcement or the military. They're not hiding around every corner, but there are quite a lot of them and they are not all like the clowns that get themselves arrested in really obvious ways.
    - vorpalhex 5y ago
      Moral panics cause more harm than good. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_panic https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_panic
      - techrat 5y ago
        Never thought I'd see the day where calling out a webhost known for giving shelter to white supremacist shooter manifestos and doxxing murder lists for atomwaffen would fall under 'moral panic.'
      - anigbrowl 5y ago
- rvz 5y ago
  So you are in defense of cyber-criminals in gaining unauthorised access to breaching someone else's internet business then? Such activity is illegal and those affected can report this and involve the authorities to track them down. It is now worse since innocent users are involved in this leak.

mikedilger 5y ago

If you provide service to everybody, then you provide service to unsavory types. That doesn't mean you cater to them. The alternative is 'cancel culture' which many people reject on principle because all it will do is tear the country in two.

techrat 5y ago
> That doesn't mean you cater to them. Heh. Pay attention... They specifically cater, not just host, but CATER to those who are unable to host elsewhere due to their content. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epik_(company) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epik_(company) > Epik is known for providing services to websites with far-right content, such as the social network Gab, video hosting service BitChute, conspiracy theory website InfoWars, and neo-Nazi message board website The Daily Stormer.[1][6][28] It was described in 2019 by Vice as "a safehaven for the extreme right" and in 2021 by The Seattle Times as "a home for far-right websites" because of its willingness to host far-right websites that have been denied service by other Internet service providers.[1][29][30] In 2021, The Daily Telegraph wrote that Epik was "a safe harbour for websites said to be enabling the spread far-right extremism and carrying Neo-Nazi content";[25] the same year, Fortune called the company the "right wing’s best friend online".[9] NPR reported in February 2021 that "when websites flooded with hate speech or harmful disinformation become too radioactive for the Internet, the sites often turn to [Epik] for a lifeline."[13]
lizkm 5y ago
>If you provide service to everybody, then you provide service to unsavory types. That doesn't mean you cater to them. Read what the CEO has to say about jewish people [0] [0] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rob-monster-epik-gab-neo-nazi_n_5c17bb29e4b05d7e5d846f72 https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rob-monster-epik-gab-neo-nazi...