Social Network Gab.com being threatened by GoDaddy: 24 hours to transfer or suspension

domainguy50 · Oct 29, 2018

backstory: Gab is a social network alternative to twitter. their selling point is free speech (all speech is welcome, including what you believe might be hate speech.) which is basically is the first amendment. no unlawful material is allowed, but virtually any speech is. recently they purchased the "gab com" domain for $220k.

this site is very controversial as a result, with mainstream media outlets claiming it is popular with nazi and anti-semite messages. the site has 800,000 users and has experienced modest growth recently so it really isnt all bad hate speech. regardless, those disgusting messages on the site by some users are also lawful no matter how distasteful they are. as a result of these media attacks, (and the recent revelation that the synagogue shooter in pittsburgh yesterday had an active gab profile) gab is being unfairly targeted by smear campaigns online reporting the site as "a hate speech site" via email to gab's service providers.

gabs host (microsoft) revoked its contract with gab a few months ago

gabs payment providers (paypal and stripe) just revoked their services

just a few minutes ago, godaddy has said they will stop working with gab:
(i cant post the image or link idk why)
"BREAKING: Godaddy is threatening to suspend our domain (which is worth six figures) if we do not transfer to a new provider by tomorrow. This is madness."

the complexity of the situation is compounded by the fact that Gab is on a payment plan to fully own the domain since they recently purchased it. the broker/escrow agent control this which makes it even more difficult for the company to transfer to a new registrar by EOD tomorrow.

I understand that Godaddy is a private business and its clauses may allow it to do this, but this seems extreme overreaction. "24 hours to transfer or else" is a very menacing way of doing business.

-if you were in charge of gab what would you do? create your own payment processor, host, and DNS? they got deplatformed quickly... i guess they could try to get an offshore Hosting company or invest in native hosting.

-what is the most "free speech" friendly DNS provider there is?

-is it fair for internet infrastructure companies to de-platform a small upstart social network because of controversial speech? or should companies like DNS and hosting should be regulated and allow any customer as long as it is lawful content being hosted.

mr-x · Feb 21, 2019

Kate said:
Who cares... Until... their hate materializes IRL. Then it's no longer an issue about abstract rights. The next victim could be you or someone dear to you.

This is the talk use by dictators and communist right before they start throwing their political opponents in prison or worse.

But the Potus thinks white supremacists are Very Fine People,

This is a deliberate bastardization of what the President said and what he latter explained. There where more people that antifa and white nationalist protesting.

this is where the problem begins. Then the problem continues when citizens a) continue to support him and b) do not hold him accountable for his attitude. How do you want to promote tolerance when your efforts are undermined at the very top.
Too easy to say it's not your fault when you help deranged people flourish.

And there is a difference between simply having controversial clients through no choice of your own, and actively courting their business. I don't think you have any moral duty to assist extremists simply because you believe in free speech. You have plenty of other options available to further the cause.

My role model as heroes of free speech would rather be people like Access now, Qurium Media (just to quote a few examples from the top of my head), people who help others circumvent censorship and access information freely. These people help make the world a better place.
Providing material or digital support to extremists in the name of upholding free speech doesn't really contribute to free speech. It simply enables hate speech.

shapeshifter · Feb 22, 2019

Great job by Epik here. Doing the right thing isn't easy.

Imaging if GoDaddy pushed back against censorship and spread the truth the way that Epik does. SJW heads everywhere would explode.
http/ twitter.com /EpikDotCom/status/1074058943519969280
(Helpful reference for understanding who decides what most Americans see, hear and think.)
How many Jews vs Gentiles in the top media positions? Take a guess before you click.

Someday Epik will have a far larger reach than registrars like GoDaddy and will be able to spread facts like these to wake people up.

You all should try Gab, 1000x better than twitter anyway.

Rob Monster · Feb 22, 2019

shapeshifter said:
Great job by Epik here. Doing the right thing isn't easy.

Imaging if GoDaddy pushed back against censorship and spread the truth the way that Epik does. SJW heads everywhere would explode.
http/ twitter.com /EpikDotCom/status/1074058943519969280
(Helpful reference for understanding who decides what most Americans see, hear and think.)
How many Jews vs Gentiles in the top media positions? Take a guess before you click.

Someday Epik will have a far larger reach than registrars like GoDaddy and will be able to spread facts like these to wake people up.

You all should try Gab, 1000x better than twitter anyway.

Well, as you know, talk is cheap. We are equipping folks with the most advanced technology for building resilient digital presence. See here:

https://twitter.com/EpikDotCom/status/1098777148247158784

As for media, there is concentration, and there is bias. The Internet overcomes that which is why we have unprecedented propagation of truth. We'll do our part to help that continue.

More innovation on the way. The addition of BitMitigate.com is a notable step forward in our innovative capacity, in addition to being a great alternative to CloudFlare.

And for those of you who think CloudFlare gives free "DDos protection" because they are nice people, I invite you to investigate a bit further on that matter and see what you discover there.

Also, here is a free tool that we produced to see if you are one of the 2.6 million Cloudflare customers who think they are being DDoS protected but are actually not:

https://netobserver.org/website-exposure-test.php

You will find that there are some big CloudFlare customers that are not protected at all.

NameLlama · Mar 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/onlinedomaincom/status/1107701477164896261
Konstantinos Zournas‏ @onlinedomaincom

Replying to @robmonster

You are running a registrar. Why do you get involved posting a video from a shooting. I really don't get it.

Good Question

Run to your safe space Gab and post it sence you seem so eager to share

Latch on to tragedy to bump yourself up as free speech warrior

bmugford · Mar 19, 2019

NameLlama said:
Show attachment 112996

https://twitter.com/onlinedomaincom/status/1107701477164896261
Konstantinos Zournas‏ @onlinedomaincom

Replying to @robmonster

You are running a registrar. Why do you get involved posting a video from a shooting. I really don't get it.

Good Question

Run to your safe space Gab and post it sence you seem so eager to share
Latch on to tragedy to bump yourself up as free speech warrior

Wow. It is pretty hard to defend that in my view.

Brad

Chris Hydrick · Mar 19, 2019

NameLlama said:
Show attachment 112996

https://twitter.com/onlinedomaincom/status/1107701477164896261
Konstantinos Zournas‏ @onlinedomaincom

Replying to @robmonster

You are running a registrar. Why do you get involved posting a video from a shooting. I really don't get it.

Good Question

Run to your safe space Gab and post it sence you seem so eager to share
Latch on to tragedy to bump yourself up as free speech warrior

More context to that tweet: http://archive.li/RmKAT
...

Also (can't find archived form)

NameLlama · Mar 19, 2019

Wait

He thought it was hoax ?

http://archive.is/I6AtH

NameLlama · Mar 19, 2019

bmugford · Mar 19, 2019

NameLlama said:
Show attachment 113004

Pathetic.

Brad

Fancy.domains · Mar 20, 2019

Seems like this has caused a lot of controversy. I can understand that.

Ps. I’ve learned on thing, especially after the Oslo / Utøya attack, and that is to keep calm moments after a terror attack, until you really know what is going on. Also, I personally think that you are kind of insulting the victims and their families, by suggesting that this should be a hoax.

Rob Monster · Mar 20, 2019

Fancy.domains said:
I’ve learned on thing, especially after the Oslo / Utøya attack, and that is to keep calm (and sh*t up) the moments after a terror attack, until you really know what is going on.

Also, I personally think that you are kind of insulting the victims and their families, by suggesting that this should be a hoax.

JFK and 9/11 videos are still visible on YouTube today. Major policy changes occurred following these events. And yet, people are still examining those videos today.

Fast forward to 2019 where NZ is changing their laws and introducing a China-style firewall because of a video that was displayed on Facebook even when the alleged perpetrator is awaiting arraignment on April 5.

In 2019, beheadings, mutilation, etc, are all on YouTube, and in quantity. Videos of Swedish girls beheaded in Morocco? Yup, still there. You can search them or not. Is there an outcry? No, not really.

You can choose to turn a blind eye to targeted censorship. You can comply with social pressure to participate in censorship and self-censorship. However, this is America. Free speech is the law of the land.

As for the NZ video itself, because there are still a meaningful number of free speech sites, you have the option of viewing the videos and discussing with others what you find. It is entirely your prerogative.

In the meantime, in NZ, people are being arrested for hosting or sharing those videos. They are a constitutional monarchy. They have a constitution which also calls for free expression. Oopsie.

Closer to home, you might recall last month the Covington Catholic inclident where there was a media outrage. It was the existence of long play videos that incontrovertibly exposed that hoax. Did you forget?

As for domains in general, the more free speech there is, and the more open that markets are, the greater the utility of domains. Take away free speech and free markets, and you have communism. No thanks.

To make this very practical for a domainer, imagine if all of a sudden all of your domains were suddenly not on an approved list and not viewable and your parking landers did not resolve. Would that be cool?

To be very clear, Epik has no bias. We welcome all publishers of lawful content. As for me personally, I judge nobody and have continually maintained a standard of providing the same world class service to all.

xynames · Mar 20, 2019

<<Closer to home, you might recall last month the Covington Catholic inclident where there was a media outrage. It was the existence of long play videos that incontrovertibly exposed that hoax. Did you forget?>>

You state that as if it were fact. That there is no possibility that the kid knew exactly what he was doing and is now being schooled on what to say and claim. That you state it as fact and other posts of yours...are your tell...your bias in all this. At this point is seems pretty clear that you are on one side throughout many of these controversies, notwithstanding your "judge nobody" and 'colorblind' claims.

I'm not sure that some of these posts in this thread, your post above, or even my comment here, belong in a "General Domain Discussion" thread, but seems that this is how this discussion has morphed.

xynames said:
According to the comment on that page:

[Rob Monster’s] tweet with the live link to the video is still cached on Google search results. Here is that tweet, judge for yourself:

“And while you are at it, here is the shooter’s video, also now on IPFS and also accessible through any IPFS gateway:

[LINK REDACTED]

While I definitely do not condone violence, maybe discerning eyes will decipher the use of symbols and runes.”

Fancy.domains · Mar 20, 2019

Rob Monster said:
JFK and 9/11 videos are still visible on YouTube today. Major policy changes occurred following these events. And yet, people are still examining those videos today.

Fast forward to 2019 where NZ is changing their laws and introducing a China-style firewall because of a video that was displayed on Facebook even when the alleged perpetrator is awaiting arraignment on April 5.

In 2019, beheadings, mutilation, etc, are all on YouTube, and in quantity. Videos of Swedish girls beheaded in Morocco? Yup, still there. You can search them or not. Is there an outcry? No, not really.

You can choose to turn a blind eye to targeted censorship. You can comply with social pressure to participate in censorship and self-censorship. However, this is America. Free speech is the law of the land.

As for the NZ video itself, because there are still a meaningful number of free speech sites, you have the option of viewing the videos and discussing with others what you find. It is entirely your prerogative.

In the meantime, in NZ, people are being arrested for hosting or sharing those videos. They are a constitutional monarchy. They have a constitution which also calls for free expression. Oopsie.

Closer to home, you might recall last month the Covington Catholic inclident where there was a media outrage. It was the existence of long play videos that incontrovertibly exposed that hoax. Did you forget?

As for domains in general, the more free speech there is, and the more open that markets are, the greater the utility of domains. Take away free speech and free markets, and you have communism. No thanks.

To make this very practical for a domainer, imagine if all of a sudden all of your domains were suddenly not on an approved list and not viewable and your parking landers did not resolve. Would that be cool?

To be very clear, Epik has no bias. We welcome all publishers of lawful content. As for me personally, I judge nobody and have continually maintained a standard of providing the same world class service to all.

First, OFF topic:

I somewhat agree. Still there are some differences between 9/11 and JFK, compared to the Christchurch terror attack. 9/11 and the JFK murder was televised live. I am not pro censorship, but this is not an easy topic. What about a school shooting video showing (our own?) children are being executed. Via a GoPro cam? Would we like it to be seen by millions?

If this Christchurch video is to be found somewhere on the “darker side” on the internet, ok, fine. Not much to do. Still, I have no problems whatsoever that social media platforms are banning it. In my opinion this kind of censorship is neither communism or fascism, but common sense. We are not allowed to watch some disgusting child abuse either, for a damn good reason.

Ok, now ON topic:

You are probably getting this criticism because people probably supposed that you made these statements as a “public figure”, or more specifically, CEO of Epik. Not an average Joe. We are maybe wrong, but still people are making this connection.

Ps. The young women killed in Morocco were Norwegian and Danish.

Bernard Wright · Mar 20, 2019

xynames said:
...You state that as if it were fact. That there is no possibility that the kid knew exactly what he was doing and is now being schooled on what to say and claim.

I saw the vid. The kid knew exactly what he was doing.

A man came up and loudly played a drum inches away from his face, while also chanting very loudly. It was without a doubt a violation of the kid's personal space and a provocation on behalf of the adult. Yet, all the kid did was stand there and do his best to stay composed, despite the obvious discomfort he was feeling, among a crowd of people, many of who were adults and should have had more tact than to pick on some kids. The kid acted precisely like I'd have hoped my son to have acted. He stood his ground and didn't lash out. He just stood there. Pretty wise for a young kid. There are many who wouldn't have kept as cool in such a situation.

@Rob Monster didn't shoot anyone. The video exists, and pretending it doesn't exist is only pretending. I personally have not watched it, nor have I watched the beheadings. But I am a strong proponent of free speech, and I support Rob's stance very firmly. If you don't want to watch the vid, maybe you and I have something in common. That's a great place to start. Now, maybe I can get you also to concede that pretending something didn't happen isn't going to rewrite history. Thank you Rob for sticking your neck out.

Rob Monster · Mar 20, 2019

Fancy.domains said:
First, OFF topic:

I somewhat agree. Still there are some differences between 9/11 and JFK, compared to the Christchurch terror attack. 9/11 and the JFK murder was televised live. I am not pro censorship, but this is not an easy topic. What about a school shooting video showing (our own?) children are being executed. Via a GoPro cam? Would we like it to be seen by millions?

If this Christchurch video is to be found somewhere on the “darker side” on the internet, ok, fine. Not much to do. Still, I have no problems whatsoever that social media platforms are banning it. In my opinion this kind of censorship is neither communism or fascism, but common sense. We are not allowed to watch some disgusting child abuse either, for a damn good reason.

Ok, now ON topic:

You are probably getting this criticism because people probably supposed that you made these statements as a “public figure”, or more specifically, CEO of Epik. Not an average Joe. We are maybe wrong, but still people are making this connection.

Ps. The young women killed in Morocco where Norwegian and Danish.

As for status as "public figure", I am humble enough to put truth and liberty ahead of personal prosperity or social acceptance. This is not the act of a reckless man but rather the act of someone with an eternal perspective who values truth and considers the search for truth to be a core goal of life well lived.

The Internet has been an enormous blessing to me personally. Once you acknowledge that life is not an accident, and that creation is not random, it becomes obvious that temporal rewards are of no great consequence, and that includes the fleeting plaudits (and the critiques) of others.

The Twitter exchange on Sunday was the result of a personal Twitter attack by 2 biased Twitter users who are affiliated with the incredibly biased SPLC, one of whom authored a highly defamatory and inaccurate hatewatch article about me. I replied from my personal Twitter, which I have since deleted.

As for the video itself, the part that troubled me was the discovery of material inconsistencies. Since important policies are being determined by the official narrative, it warrants discernment. Here is a 90 second video that has since been excised from YouTube that illustrates the point. It is not gruesome.

As for those members of the domain community who have taken the opportunity this week to rebuke me for allowing free speech to continue on the Internet, please know that I am neither seeking publicity or controversy. I am of sound mind. I am not a Nazi, an anti-semite, a homophobe, a misogynist, a bigot, or a racist. I believe love and understanding will overcome hate and divisiveness.

The future of the domain industry is being determined in 2019. Censorship, WHOIS privacy, sinkholing, DDoS, deplatforming, demonetization, unpersoning, are all symptoms of the disease which is a relentless desire by the few to dictate the narratives and choices to be consumed by the many.

I leave you with a very fine quote from Thomas Paine that seems apt today though it was written in 1776:

“THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated”

Blessings to all who read this thread. Hopefully it is never censored.

Fancy.domains · Mar 20, 2019

I think this discussion is becoming a bit bizarre. You made comment on Twitter, suggesting that the Christchurch mosque shooting probably was a hoax, or am I wrong?! Many people, including myself, found that posting controversial.

But ok, you are free to your opinion and views, and so am I. Personally, I prefer a registrar who refrains from posting political propaganda. But there are obviously others who support it as well.

Bernard Wright · Mar 20, 2019

The internet is inherently political. Is it not the most politically relevant phenomenon of our time? The internet is Rob's business and Rob's stance is strongly aligned with the principles on which the nation in which I live was founded. This is a rare stance for those in his position, and I commend him on his steadfast commitment to free speech.

Free speech is not important to all. It is very important to me. That is why, after two years of living in Thailand myself, as you now do, I am proud to have returned to the US, where the battle wages on, and where I believe people who share my opinions are most needed. It is very good to know that Rob is one of those people. I don't know where your home country is, but I can speak from experience when I say that topics such as this carry much more gravity when one is living inside of it.

Fancy.domains · Mar 20, 2019

Bernard Wright said:
The internet is inherently political. Is it not the most politically relevant phenomenon of our time? The internet is Rob's business and Rob's stance is strongly aligned with the principles on which the nation in which I live was founded. This is a rare stance for those in his position, and I commend him on his steadfast commitment to free speech.

Free speech is not important to all. It is very important to me. That is why, after two years of living in Thailand myself, as you now do, I am proud to have returned to the US, where the battle wages on, and where I believe people who share my opinions are most needed. It is very good to know that Rob is one of those people. I don't know where your home country is, but I can speak from experience when I say that topics such as this carry much more gravity when one is living inside of it.

Getting even more bizarre.

Why should I be against freedom of speech, just because I comment on a post by a registrar CEO?

Actually, I love freedom of speech and I get sick of all hate and political and religious extremism that are making this world a less free place. Still I think websites and social media platforms should be equally free to chose if the want to host videos, showing people (including children) being massacred, or not.

And, off topic, is the US really as “free” as you say?! Give it a thought...

Fancy.domains · Mar 20, 2019

Ps. I am originally from Sweden. The home of political correctness.

Still: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/06/us-...-top-10-best-countries-to-raise-children.html

Internet.Domains · Mar 20, 2019

Fancy.domains said:
I love freedom of speech and I get sick of all hate

Agreed! There seems to be lots of "hate" going around, everywhere. In fact I can't come to a domain blog or domain forum without seeing the hate.......

Bernard Wright · Mar 20, 2019

I'm not sure I understand the premise of your question. Speech in the US is as free as I say, so long as this freedom is not infringed-upon by technocrats. That is my point.

Koh Samui is a beautiful place. I can see why you like it there. However, to be frank, you have very little freedom of speech. And you have absolutely no freedom of speech online. I don't know where Thailand ranks globally, but it has to be near the bottom with respect to free speech online. If you do indeed care about freedom of speech, you might want to leave Thailand.

https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/...-raises-fear-military-could-cage-the-internet

Fancy.domains · Mar 20, 2019

Internet.Domains said:
Agreed! There seems to be lots of "hate" going around, everywhere. In fact I can't come to a domain blog or domain forum without seeing the hate.......

*Debate without hate*

Fancy.domains · Mar 20, 2019

Bernard Wright said:
I'm not sure I understand the premise of your question. Speech in the US is as free as I say, so long as this freedom is not infringed-upon by technocrats. That is my point.

Koh Samui is a beautiful place. I can see why you like it there. However, to be frank, you have very little freedom of speech. And you have absolutely no freedom of speech online. I don't know where Thailand ranks globally, but it has to be near the bottom with respect to free speech online. If you do indeed care about freedom of speech, you might want to leave Thailand.

https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/...-raises-fear-military-could-cage-the-internet

I’ve been living on this island for 40% of my life and the rest in Sweden. I am doing fine and am staying updated about what is going on in the country, but thanks for your concern.

OT: “In September 2013, the incarceration rate of the United States of America was the highest in the world, at 716 per 100,000 of the national population. While the United States represents about 4.4 percent of the world's population, it houses around 22 percent of the world's prisoners.”

Bernard Wright · Mar 20, 2019

That has nothing to do with freedom of speech.

Fancy.domains · Mar 20, 2019

Bernard Wright said:
That has nothing to do with freedom of speech.

Just my additional comment on: “And, off topic, is the US really as “free” as you say?!”

Ok, enough on this from me today. I commented on a tweet (made by company representative on Namepros) and now I’m getting myself into arguments on where to live in the world.

Sorry for avoiding the initial topic.

At least we practiced our right to free speech...

Social Network Gab.com being threatened by GoDaddy: 24 hours to transfer or suspension

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