Gab (social network)

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Gab is a social networking platform that was established in 2016 by Andrew Torba and Ekrem Büyükkaya. The platform is recognized for its far-right userbase and has often attracted users who have been banned from other social media[1] sites. Gab offers a variety of features, including posts, private chats, groups, and livestreaming, and provides services like email[2], cloud storage, and advertisement. However, Gab has faced several controversies due to its alleged links to radicalization and real-world violence. In addition, the platform has undergone financial struggles and experienced data breaches. Despite these challenges, Gab persists in its operations, even transitioning to cryptocurrency payment processing after being rejected by conventional payment processors.

Terms definitions
1. social media. Social media is a broad term encompassing a variety of digital tools and platforms that facilitate the sharing of information and the creation of virtual communities. Emerging from early systems like PLATO and ARPANET, it has evolved into modern platforms like Facebook and Twitter. These platforms offer unique features that differentiate them from traditional media, including the ability for users to generate content and engage in dialogic communication. They cater to over 100 million users globally and offer different forms of services, such as messaging apps and collaborative content creation platforms. The use of social media has far-reaching impacts on individuals, society, and businesses, influencing everything from marketing practices to political processes. However, it's also associated with ethical concerns, such as the spread of misinformation and potential addiction.
2. email. Email, a widely used communication medium, has been a crucial part of daily life since its inception in 1975. It is a system that operates across computer networks and the internet, allowing messages to be sent and received globally. The term 'email' is preferred in style guides, but variations like 'E-mail' are sometimes used, particularly in American and British English writing. This system's operation involves a sender formatting a message using a Mail User Agent (MUA), which is then forwarded to the recipient's mail exchange server. The recipient's MUA retrieves the message. With the help of the Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME), emails can now carry multimedia content. For security, email systems use a store-and-forward model, where email servers accept, forward, deliver, and store messages. This allows users to exchange emails without the need for simultaneous online presence.

Gab is an American alt-tech microblogging and social networking service known for its far-right userbase. Widely described as a haven for neo-Nazis, racists, white supremacists, white nationalists, antisemites, the alt-right, supporters of Donald Trump, conservatives, right-libertarians, and believers in conspiracy theories such as QAnon, Gab has attracted users and groups who have been banned from other social media platforms and users seeking alternatives to mainstream social media platforms. Founded in 2016 and launched publicly in May 2017, Gab claims to promote free speech, individual liberty, the "free flow of information online", and Christian values. Researchers and journalists have characterized these assertions as an obfuscation of its extremist ecosystem. Antisemitism is prominent in the site's content and the company itself has engaged in antisemitic commentary. Gab CEO Andrew Torba has promoted the white genocide conspiracy theory. Gab is based in Pennsylvania.

Gab AI, Inc.
Type of site
Microblogging, Social networking service
Available inEnglish
Founded2016
Headquarters
700 North State Street, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania
,
U.S.
Founder(s)Andrew Torba, CEO
Ekrem Büyükkaya, CTO
CEOAndrew Torba
IndustryInternet
ServicesGab, Gab AI, Gab News, Gab TV, Gab Chat, Gab Ads, Gab Trends, GabPro, Dissenter (web browser), Dissenter (browser extension)
URLgab.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationRequired to post
Users100,000 (estimated active)
5 million (total) as of 2022
LaunchedAugust 15, 2016; 7 years ago (August 15, 2016) (private beta)
May 8, 2017; 6 years ago (May 8, 2017) (open registration)
July 4, 2019; 4 years ago (July 4, 2019) (switch to customized Mastodon fork and relaunched)
Current statusActive

Researchers note that Gab has been "repeatedly linked to radicalization leading to real-world violent events". The site received extensive public scrutiny following the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in October 2018. The perpetrator of the attack, Robert Gregory Bowers, had a history of making extreme, antisemitic postings on the platform, as well as messages indicating an immediate intent to cause harm before the shooting. After the shooting, Gab briefly went offline when it was dropped by its hosting provider and denied service by several payment processors. In 2021, Gab was among the platforms used to plan the United States Capitol attack on January 6. Also in 2021, Gab suffered from a data breach called "GabLeaks".

Gab's functionality is similar to that of Twitter. Users of Gab can publish posts, initiate private chats, join groups, livestream and buy products. The company also maintains an email service, cloud service, text messaging service, advertisement sales system, server farm, marketplace website, news aggregation website, advertising platform, video-conferencing platform, blog, video hosting, web browser, and browser extension to allow commenting on third-party websites. In July 2019, Gab switched its software infrastructure to a fork or Mastodon, a free and open-source social network platform. Mastodon released a statement in protest, denouncing Gab as trying to "monetize and platform racist content while hiding behind the banner of free speech".

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