Anti-semitism and conspiracy theories on demand on site used by Russell Brand
A 'free speech' video website launched as an alternative to YouTube has been accused of hosting anti-Semitic extremists pushing conspiracy theories about Gaza.
A growing number of far-right hate speakers are getting airtime on controversial platform Rumble. And it comes amid a leap in anti-Semitic hate crimes recorded by some of our largest police forces in the weeks since the October 7 Hamas massacre. Now there is a call for the site to be shut down. Far-right thug Tommy Robinson has a channel on Rumble with more than 25,000 followers, as does Britain First. Hate peddlers in the US love it.
Extremist commentator Nicholas Joseph Fuentes has a channel on the site with tens of thousands of followers. He had his YouTube account suspended in 2020. Widely described as a white supremacist, he is also a Holocaust denier. American far-right radio show host Alex Jones also thrives on Rumble after getting the YouTube boot in 2018.
Russell Brand uses Rumble after YouTube suspended him (PA)Tory MP Nigel Mills said: “It is deeply disturbing to see such a widespread amount of anti-Semitic content on Rumble. It is a hotbed. The Jewish community needs our full support.”
Social media user Andrew Tate regularly posts his misogynistic views on the platform, and comic Russell Brand, who strongly denies accusations of sex offences against a number of women, uses Rumble as the main outlet for his rants after YouTube suspended his ability to earn money on its site.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
There are many other US users who spout views on gun control, abortion and Covid conspiracies. UK critics claim Rumble’s content shows the weakness of the Online Safety Bill which became law in October.
It seeks to force platforms to take more responsibility for content. Sir Ivor Roberts, a Counter Extremism Project group advisor and ex-Foreign Office head of counter-terrorism, said: “It is inexcusable that an online platform is unwilling or unable to stop giving a voice to extremist organisations.
“If the Bill cannot prevent tech giants allowing extremists to broadcast propaganda, it isn’t fit for purpose. And if Rumble won’t stop acting as a cheerleader for dangerous organisations and individuals it should be shut down.”
Greater Manchester Police has revealed a worrying rise in hate crime reports. It recorded 74 anti-Semitic offences in the month after the Hamas attack on Israel compared with 15 for the same period in 2022 and 14 in 2021. West Yorkshire police recorded 53, against 10 in 2022 and 14 in 2021. The British Transport police logged 87 anti-Semitic offences in the month after the massacre, up from eight in the same period in 2022 and 11 in 2021. And Islamaphobic offences also leaped – with 22 this year up from two in 2022 and eight in 2021.
Advertising revenue has helped Rumble founder Chris Pavlovski, a Canadian tech entrepreneur, to a £60million fortune. He started it 10 years ago as an alternative to YouTube.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said: “The Online Safety Act marks a new era of internet safety. Tech firms now have a legal responsibility to prevent and rapidly remove illegal content.” Rumble said: “We have strict moderation policies banning incitement of violence, illegal content, racism and anti-Semitism.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
