Reddit has shut down and banned two alternative-right forums.
The communities, also known as subreddits, were called /r/altright and /r/alternativeright. The subreddits were known for pushing the line of free speech but, ultimately the subreddit was banned by the administrators for doxxing. According to Reddit’s content policy doxxing is a “violation of our content policy, specifically, the proliferation of personal and confidential information.”
The members of the group allegedly posted personal information about a protestor who attended the Donald Trump’s Presidential Inauguration and punched alternative right leader Richard Spencer during a live interview.
The moderator of /r/altright issued a statement regarding the banning of the subreddit. “We knew this day was coming, so it comes as no surprise,” user MortalSisyphus explained. “This banned subreddit is merely one of many in a long history of political suppression on Reddit. We mods did what we could to follow the rules handed down to us, but obviously no subreddit can be water-tight, and there will always be those rare cases which give plausible deniability for transparent censorship. Whatever excuse the admins give for the banning, it is clear to all this is another case of heretical views and opinions being stifled.”
The /r/altright moderator added. “But the admins are playing a losing game of whack-a-mole here. The internet is (at least currently) a free, open, anonymous, uncontrolled platform for individuals of every stripe and persuasion to speak their mind and grow as part of a community.”
“The more the established political institutions try to maintain the status quo and marginalize us, the more they will drive free-thinking, independent lovers of truth to our side.”
This news comes after Reddit shared an open letter regarding Trump’s recent immigration executive order. Reddit administrator knOthing called for people to speak out against the new immigration policy. “Right now, Lady Liberty’s lamp is dimming, which is why it’s more important than ever that we speak out and show up to support all those for whom it shines—past, present, and future.”
Founded by University of Virginia college roommates in 2005, the website is currently valued at $500 million with over 80 billion page views in 2015.