Chapter 1: Introduction to "Free Speech" Networks

The emergence of "free speech" platforms has given rise to a disturbing trend in anti-Semitism that many may not recognize.

Recent events highlight this issue, such as JP Morgan's decision to close Kanye West's bank accounts following his anti-Semitic comments. The last few years have seen the proliferation of alternative social networks that claim to stand against the so-called "cancel culture" enforced by mainstream companies like Twitter. However, what does this truly signify?

To understand the implications, I examined several prominent platforms and the reactions to this news. A content warning is necessary, as the posts on these sites, including those from mainstream political figures, are deeply troubling.

Section 1.1: Truth Social and Its Impact

Truth Social, owned by the Trump Media and Technology Group and chaired by former President Donald Trump, has approximately 2 million users. An account boasting over 50,000 followers—representing about 10% of its daily active users—recently shared alarming content.

Section 1.2: Gab's Role in the Conversation

Founded in 2016, Gab was the first right-wing social network and currently has around 4 million users. The founder, who has 3.7 million followers, posted troubling responses to a question about the leadership of JP Morgan Chase, with numerous users attributing it to "the Jews."

Section 1.3: Minds and Its Disturbing Community

Minds, launched in 2011, was initially developed to counter surveillance capitalism but has since become a refuge for white supremacists banned from other networks. This platform has over 2 million users and often features posts that could be considered hate speech.

Chapter 2: The Broader Context of Anti-Semitism

As an alternative to mainstream platforms, GETTR, created by a former Trump aide, has around 4 million users. While anti-Semitic rhetoric is less pronounced here, there are still fringe comments referencing "satanic Jews," mirroring sentiments found on other networks.

The first video, The Antisemitism Awareness Act, discusses legislative efforts to combat anti-Semitism, illustrating the societal response to this pervasive issue.

GETTR is not alone; Parler, another platform born during the Trump era, struggles with usability, claiming around 1 million users despite significant challenges in accessing content.

The chilling nature of these comments is compounded by the backing of influential figures, including former presidents. My discomfort extends to how my open-source work was utilized in creating Minds. While I do not view its founders as anti-Semites, I believe that their tolerance for hatred is misguided. Though such ideas can be countered by more positive perspectives, it is undeniable that these platforms have facilitated the planning of undemocratic acts and hate crimes.

Mainstream networks like Facebook are not free from guilt; their bans on anti-Semitism do not absolve them of complicity in broader issues. Twitter, too, hosts anti-Semitic content, albeit as a smaller segment compared to the alternative networks, which thrive on such extremism.

Chapter 3: Conclusion

Incidents of anti-Semitism reached unprecedented levels in the U.S. in 2021, fueled by the accessibility of these extremist communities. With millions of users and growing endorsement from high-profile figures, we cannot afford to dismiss these platforms as mere fringe elements; they pose a real threat that demands our attention.