A year after Trump purge, ‘alt-tech’ offers far-right refuge

A file photo of a tooth dangling from Anderson’s mouth after he was attacked by a counter-protester on Saturday, Oct 17, 2020. Anderson was repulsed by some of the stuff he saw on Gab, a social media platform that’s become popular with Trump supporters. It included Nazi imagery, racist slurs and other extreme content that goes way beyond anything allowed on major social media platforms. — AP

Philip Anderson is no fan of online content moderation. His conservative posts have gotten him kicked off Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Two years ago, Anderson organised a “free speech” protest against the big tech companies. A counterprotester knocked his teeth out.

But even Anderson was repulsed by some of the stuff he saw on Gab, a social media platform that’s become popular with supporters of former US President Donald Trump. It included Nazi imagery, racist slurs and other extreme content that goes way beyond anything allowed on major social media platforms.