Gab Temporarily Down as Administrators Investigate Criminal Security Breach

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Mar 8, 2021

The administrators of free speech platform Gab temporarily disabled their platform on Monday, in response to what they’re calling a security breach.

Attracting millions of users after the decline of free speech competitor Parler, Gab has quickly become the target of the internet establishment for serving as the global internet’s de facto free speech forum. Four banks simultaneously closed Gab banks accounts last week, acting in coordination in an all-of-society deplatforming attempt.

A message purportedly from a hacker of sorts appeared on Gab founder Andrew Torba’s account, with the malicious actor making a series of claims about compromising Gab’s security systems. The hacker claims to have accessed verification photos that Gab users have submitted to the platform, potentially accessing the driver’s licenses of Gab users. This likely represents a criminal offense.

Torba earlier referenced “demon hackers” as responsible for the coordinated attack on Gab. As a new platform representing a social media alternative to millions discriminated against by Big Tech, it’s likely that bad actors will continue to attempt to compromise Gab’s systems. It may even be possible that the hackers in question are linked to western governments, which would represent an unprecedented attack on free speech by the power of the state.

Gab is refusing to cave to criminal elements, vowing to return the platform to the internet in its full capacity. Hackers are allegedly demanding a ransom in return for relenting the assault on Gab, in a development that potentially makes them liable to extortion charges.

Big League Politics has requested comment from Gab on the matter and is monitoring the situation.

Follow me on Gab @WildmanAZ, Twitter @Wildman_AZ, and on Parler @Moorhead.

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