{"id":87571,"date":"2022-10-06T10:55:21","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T15:55:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/"},"modified":"2024-07-16T11:11:32","modified_gmt":"2024-07-16T15:11:32","slug":"alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/","title":{"rendered":"2. Alternative social media sites frequently identify as free speech advocates"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To further understand the structure, features and driving principles of alternative social media sites, Pew Research Center researchers conducted an audit of the seven sites analyzed at length in <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/americans-are-more-aware-of-some-alternative-social-media-sites-than-others-but-overall-very-few-get-news-there\">Chapter 1<\/a> of this report \u2013 BitChute, Gab, Gettr, Parler, Rumble, Telegram and Truth Social. Researchers visited each site in April 2022, examining characteristics ranging from site design to descriptive labels and privacy protections, and then verified that these findings still held true in September 2022. Sites were selected based on their audience size in December 2021 and their media coverage (see methodology for more details on the site selection process).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_Alternative-Social-Media_TOPLINE.pdf\">alternative social media sites studied<\/a> here have predominantly Republican audiences and, in some cases, have received substantial <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/most-sites-linked-to-high-profile-backers;-some-sites-also-use-other-revenue-streams\/\">funding from conservative donors<\/a>, none state a clear partisan or ideological orientation in their \u201cAbout\u201d page or similar sections of their websites. Only one site \u2013 Truth Social \u2013 explicitly describes itself as nonpartisan, saying on its homepage that it \u201cencourages an open, free, and honest global conversation without discriminating against political ideology.\u201d The remaining sites do not mention a political orientation in the sections of their websites examined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-107817\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/pj_2022-10-06_alt-social_2-01a-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f0f0f0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f0f0f0;\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png\" alt=\"A table showing that Alternative social media sites say they support free speech; none declare left or right-leaning political orientation\" class=\"wp-image-107817 not-transparent\" width=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png 1280w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=300,171 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=768,437 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=1024,582 1024w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=712,405 712w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=200,114 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=260,148 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=310,176 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=420,239 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=640,364 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=740,421 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=160,91 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=320,182 320w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=268,151 268w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=194,110 194w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=388,220 388w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=148,84 148w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-01a.png?resize=296,168 296w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conversely, all seven of the sites identify themselves as havens for free speech or enemies of censorship. In fact, each explicitly says that it supports free speech, and four (BitChute, Gettr, Parler and Rumble) specifically declare their opposition to censorship. Three sites \u2013 Gab, Gettr and Parler \u2013 also identify themselves as an alternative to Big Tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In expressing their support for freedom of speech, some sites criticize what they describe as \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2021\/05\/19\/americans-and-cancel-culture-where-some-see-calls-for-accountability-others-see-censorship-punishment\/\">cancel culture<\/a>.\u201d Rumble, for example, <a href=\"https:\/\/corp.rumble.com\/our-story\/\">advises readers<\/a> that as a result of \u201ccancel culture,\u201d it supports \u201cdiverse opinions, authentic expression and the need for open dialogue.\u201d Similarly, Gettr <a href=\"https:\/\/about.gettr.com\/\">states that the site<\/a> \u201cchampions free speech, rejects cancel-culture and provides a \u2026 platform for the marketplace of ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The three sites that explicitly identify themselves as alternatives to Big Tech often criticize those larger sites for not adequately protecting free speech. In describing its intent to \u201cbe the home of free speech online,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/gab.com\/about\">Gab, for example, notes<\/a>, \u201cWe believe that users of social networks should be able to control their social media experience on their own terms, rather than the terms set down by Big Tech.\u201d Similarly, <a href=\"https:\/\/about.gettr.com\">Gettr invites users<\/a> to \u201cBe a part of history by joining the millions of Americans who are standing up to Big Tech and fighting for free speech and independent thought.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;almost-all-alternative-social-media-sites-moderate-at-least-some-content-and-give-users-the-chance-to-block-content-themselves&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"almost-all-alternative-social-media-sites-moderate-at-least-some-content-and-give-users-the-chance-to-block-content-themselves\">Almost all alternative social media sites moderate at least some content and give users the chance to block content themselves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While freedom of speech is a key element of these sites\u2019 identity, that does not mean there are not any restrictions on the content found there. All but one of the sites studied here (Gab) moderate user content beyond spam or legal requirements \u2013 either by removing posts or suspending or banning accounts deemed to be offensive or spreading misinformation.[5.numoffset=&#8221;5&#8243; To determine if a site moderates content, researchers looked for any moderation policy on the site and searched for news coverage of the site removing any posts or suspending or banning any accounts.] Some of the alternative social media sites studied remove posts (or the accounts that share them) for a number of reasons, including because the posts are offensive, contain violent or racist content, contain misinformation or, in some cases, because of their broader political viewpoint. (All of their larger competitors also use some form of moderation to address offensive speech or misinformation.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-107798\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/pj_2022-10-06_alt-social_2-02-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f0f0f0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f0f0f0;\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png\" alt=\"A table showing that Most alternative social media sites moderate content at least to some extent\" class=\"wp-image-107798 not-transparent\" width=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png 1280w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png?resize=300,166 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png?resize=768,425 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png?resize=1024,566 1024w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png?resize=732,405 732w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png?resize=200,111 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png?resize=260,144 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png?resize=310,171 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png?resize=420,232 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png?resize=640,354 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png?resize=740,409 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png?resize=160,89 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-02.png?resize=320,177 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is difficult to know what content is permitted on each site and what content is removed. But media and academic reports offer insight into some of the removed content. At least one site \u2013 Truth Social \u2013 reportedly removes content that is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.org\/article\/truth-cant-handle-the-truth\/\">critical of certain political viewpoints<\/a>. Truth Social\u2019s terms of use also <a href=\"https:\/\/help.truthsocial.com\/community\/guidelines\/\">ban sexual and violent content<\/a>, although Google <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2022\/08\/30\/technology\/google-trump-truth-social-violent-content.html\">said in late August 2022<\/a> that Truth Social must do more to remove content that incites violence in order to appear on its app store. Gettr, meanwhile, bans content that is \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/gettr.com\/terms\">offensive, obscene \u2026 pornographic, violent, harassing, [or] abusive<\/a>\u201d in its terms of service, and has banned <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/right-wing-social-site-bans-controversial-term-reaction-1663084\">some White nationalist content<\/a> and suspended at least <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedailybeast.com\/maga-app-gettr-sick-of-their-racist-users-violating-their-terms-of-service-bans-right-wing-pundit-over-n-word\">one prominent account for offensive content<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rumble <a href=\"https:\/\/corp.rumble.com\/blog\/rumble-proposes-an-open-source-content-moderation-policy-process-to-improve-transparency-put-creators-first\/\">proposed<\/a> a content moderation policy in June 2022 that included post takedowns and account bans for obscenity, stalking and discrimination. And BitChute published a <a href=\"https:\/\/static.helpjuice.com\/helpjuice_production\/uploads\/upload\/image\/6342\/direct\/1654094104600-BitChute%20-%20Transparency%20Report%20-%20June%202022%20v2.pdf\">transparency report<\/a> in June 2022 that showed what <a href=\"https:\/\/support.bitchute.com\/policy\/content-moderation\">kinds of moderation<\/a> they have implemented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes, sites moderate content at least in part due to outside pressure. For example, Parler&#8217;s app was removed from the Google and Apple app stores after the Jan. 6 riots, and only returned to each after adding moderation features requested by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2022\/09\/02\/google-parler-app-play-store\">Google<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2021\/04\/19\/apple-will-allow-parler-back-on-the-app-store.html\">Apple<\/a>. Similarly, in September 2022, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2022\/08\/30\/technology\/google-trump-truth-social-violent-content.html\">Google requested<\/a> that Truth Social add moderation features to remove violent content before allowing the app on their store. And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/tech\/tech-news\/telegram-recent-haven-far-right-purges-extremist-content-n1254215\">Telegram<\/a> removed \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/german-police-pressure-telegram-to-delete-far-right-content\/a-60453402\">far right<\/a>\u201d and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2017\/7\/17\/15980948\/telegram-indonesia-isis-terrorism-moderation-ban\">pro-ISIS<\/a> channels after facing international government pressure and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawfareblog.com\/telegrams-embrace-contradiction\">blocked or monitored content<\/a> in Brazil in response to government requests there (though this content may still be available elsewhere).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just one site \u2013 Gab \u2013 does not appear to moderate content in the same way the other sites do. While it does take steps to remove spam and follow legal requirements (such as banning posts that <a href=\"https:\/\/gab.com\/about\/tos\">harm or exploit minors<\/a> or complying with <a href=\"https:\/\/news.gab.com\/2022\/08\/11\/gabs-response-to-fbi-director-christopher-wray\/\">requests from law enforcement<\/a>) and the site\u2019s terms of service allow users to report threats and other abuse, researchers did not find examples of the site removing posts or accounts due to misinformation or offensive or harassing content. CEO Andrew Torba reportedly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2021\/01\/17\/957512634\/social-media-site-gab-is-surging-even-as-critics-blame-it-for-capitol-violence\">told NPR<\/a> in a 2021 interview that \u201cnobody is going to make him take down messages.\u201d Instead of moderating content, Gab says in the help section of its website that it leaves it up to the user to mute or block accounts they <a href=\"https:\/\/help.gab.com\/article\/gab-social-moderation\">find offensive<\/a>. This hands-off moderation policy has led several hosting and payment providers to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2018\/10\/28\/18034126\/gab-social-network-stripe-joyent-deplatforming-hate-speech-pittsburgh-shooting\">terminate<\/a> their relationships with the company, especially after the site was linked to a 2018 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/10\/28\/us\/gab-robert-bowers-pittsburgh-synagogue-shootings.html\">shooting<\/a> at a Pittsburgh synagogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gab and Telegram also host groups \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/the-role-of-alternative-social-media-in-the-news-and-information-environment\/#terminology\">spaces where users can connect with each other to discuss topics and interests<\/a>. These sites give group administrators tools to moderate posts within the group. On Telegram, <a href=\"https:\/\/telegram.org\/faq#q-what-39s-the-difference-between-groups-and-channels\">groups and channels are similar<\/a> and have similar moderation tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many sites also give users control over the kind of content they see. Five sites let users block or mute other users from appearing on their news feed, six let users report either accounts or posts, and four allow users to block explicit content. One site (Gab) <a href=\"https:\/\/help.gab.com\/article\/filter-words-phrases-gab\">allows users to block posts<\/a> with specific keywords from appearing in their news feed. Rumble, a video-focused site, is the only one that at the time of the study did not provide any of these user-level content moderation options.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to moderating content more broadly, the larger, more established social media sites offer some of these user control features as well. Facebook <a href=\"https:\/\/about.fb.com\/news\/2018\/06\/keyword-snooze-a-new-way-to-help-control-your-news-feed\/\">began offering keyword blocking<\/a> in 2018, but in 2021 replaced that with a feature that <a href=\"https:\/\/about.fb.com\/news\/2018\/06\/keyword-snooze-a-new-way-to-help-control-your-news-feed\/\">lets users hide specific posts<\/a> or groups for 30 days; the site also lets users <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/help\/171757096241231\">report accounts<\/a>. Twitter also lets users <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/22878708\/twitter-mute-tweets-word-name-tag-how-to\">mute keywords<\/a> for varying lengths of time, <a href=\"https:\/\/help.twitter.com\/en\/using-twitter\/blocking-and-unblocking-accounts\">block accounts<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/help.twitter.com\/en\/safety-and-security\/report-abusive-behavior\">report accounts or posts<\/a>. YouTube does not offer an easy way to block keywords, but does let users <a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/youtube\/answer\/2802027?hl=en&amp;co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid\">report content<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;Almost-all-alternative-social-media-sites-emphasize-privacy-protections,-but-vary-in-exactly-what-they-offer&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Almost-all-alternative-social-media-sites-emphasize-privacy-protections,-but-vary-in-exactly-what-they-offer\">Almost all alternative social media sites emphasize privacy protections, but vary in exactly what they offer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">User privacy on social media has become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/09\/16\/technology\/digital-privacy.html\">flashpoint in recent years<\/a>, with critics of social media sites raising concerns over the way those sites use user data and the tools users have to control who can see what they do online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The number and nature of protections vary significantly from site to site, with Telegram, Gab and Parler offering the most privacy features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-107802\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/pj_2022-10-06_alt-social_2-03-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"efefef\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #efefef;\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png\" alt=\"A table showing that Alternative social media sites vary in privacy protections offered to their users\" class=\"wp-image-107802 not-transparent\" width=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png 1280w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png?resize=300,176 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png?resize=768,451 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png?resize=1024,602 1024w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png?resize=689,405 689w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png?resize=200,118 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png?resize=260,153 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png?resize=310,182 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png?resize=420,247 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png?resize=640,376 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png?resize=740,435 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png?resize=160,94 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-03.png?resize=320,188 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the study was conducted, the most commonly offered privacy protection related to user data. Five of the seven sites examined say they do not sell user data (Gettr and Rumble are the only sites that do not promise this \u2013 they may or may not sell user data, but their privacy policies do not guarantee they will not). But even if most sites do not sell user data, there are other ways that users\u2019 personal information could come into the hands of other entities. For example, sites can also share data with partners (including other companies) without charging for it and often without informing the user. Just one of these sites, Telegram, explicitly states that they do not do this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sites can also use the data they collect to sell third-party targeted ads, which allow advertisers to select the users they wish to reach based on detailed demographic information. Three of the seven alternative social media sites \u2013 Gab, Parler and Telegram \u2013 indicate that they will not sell third-party targeted ads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A few of the sites studied offer other privacy features. Four of them \u2013 Gab, Gettr, Parler, Telegram \u2013 give users the ability to modify their privacy settings and allow users to control who can access their posts. Two of the sites \u2013 Parler and Telegram \u2013 also give users control over who can comment on their posts. And two \u2013 Gab and Telegram \u2013 give users the option of making their account completely private so that it does not come up in searches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aside from specific privacy protections, these sites also vary in the amount of information they ask for from their users. Beyond a username, which five of the seven sites ask for, four require an email address, two (Telegram and Truth Social) require a phone number, and two (Gettr and Parler) require either an email address or phone number. Two sites \u2013 Gettr and Truth Social \u2013 also require an age and birthdate in order to set up an account (see <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-methodology\">methodology<\/a> for more details on how researchers determined what information is required to create an account in each site).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The privacy protections on more established social media sites are mixed. While Facebook, Twitter and YouTube say they do not sell user data, all three sites share user data with partners, although Facebook and YouTube seek permission from the user to do so. And all three sites offer targeted third-party ads \u2013 an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fastcompany.com\/90656170\/targeted-ads-arent-just-annoying-they-can-be-harmful-heres-how-to-fight-back\">often-criticized<\/a> practice that personalizes ads based on user profiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even when not sold or shared, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/google-tracks-you-privacy\/\">broad scope of data<\/a> these sites can collect about users both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/recode\/23172691\/meta-tracking-privacy-hospitals\">on and off the site<\/a> has prompted concerns from users and observers. But Facebook, Twitter and YouTube all offer some controls to the user over what information is shared, such as control over who can access their posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;Most-sites-linked-to-high-profile-backers-some-sites-also-use-other-revenue-streams&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Most-sites-linked-to-high-profile-backers-some-sites-also-use-other-revenue-streams\">Most sites linked to high-profile backers; some sites also use other revenue streams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">High-profile backers are linked to a majority of the alternative social media sites studied here, according to media coverage, which has connected some high-profile conservatives, tech entrepreneurs and others, to five of the seven sites examined here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Major donors to Parler include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/rebekah-mercer-funds-parler-social-media-app-touted-by-right-2020-11\">a member of the Mercer family<\/a>, which has backed conservative organizations such as The Heritage Foundation and Breitbart. Rumble\u2019s investors <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/technology\/554406-peter-thiel-jd-vance-investing-in-youtube-alternative-popular-among\/\">include<\/a> Ohio Republican U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Vance, venture capitalist and political donor Peter Thiel, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/exclusive-fed-up-with-youtube-crushing-conservative-voices-dan-bongino-acquires-part-ownership-of-video-sharing-competitor\">radio, podcast and Fox News host Dan Bongino<\/a>. Truth Social <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2022\/02\/21\/truth-social-app-store-donald-trump\">was launched<\/a> by former President Donald Trump after he was \u201cindefinitely\u201d or \u201cpermanently\u201d suspended by Facebook and Twitter, a venture that was connected to a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) that reportedly raised $1 billion. &nbsp;<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Telegram is <a href=\"https:\/\/fortune.com\/longform\/telegram-pavel-durov-mobile-world-congress\/\">largely funded<\/a> by CEO Pavel Durov, a Russian-born billionaire who currently lives in Dubai. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/ex-trump-adviser-jason-miller-new-social-app-gettr-backed-by-guo-wengui-tied-foundation-11625199130\">key investor<\/a> in Gettr was China-born billionaire Guo Wengui, an outspoken critic of the Chinese government and colleague of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Six sites (four of which are also among those with high-profile backers) also sell advertisements or have other revenue streams \u2013 from selling T-shirts to accepting donations or offering account upgrades. Two of the sites that are not connected to high-profile backers (BitChute and Gab) are the two employing the widest range of other revenue streams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Account upgrades, subscriptions or advertising are the most common revenue streams. BitChute, Gab, Rumble and Telegram all offer some form of account upgrade. BitChute, for example, offers users bronze, silver and gold membership options, with each option increasing the number of channels an account can host, while Rumble has a similar series of account upgrades and packages largely aimed at content creators. Telegram\u2019s premium upgrade relaxes limitations on storage and downloads and adds premium stickers and other features, while Gab also offers an account upgrade that removes ads and enables other features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-107805\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/pj_2022-10-06_alt-social_2-04-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"efefef\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #efefef;\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png\" alt=\"A table showing that Alternative social media sites use a variety of revenue sources\" class=\"wp-image-107805 not-transparent\" width=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png 1280w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png?resize=300,158 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png?resize=768,406 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png?resize=1024,541 1024w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png?resize=767,405 767w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png?resize=200,106 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png?resize=260,137 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png?resize=310,164 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png?resize=420,222 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png?resize=640,338 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png?resize=740,391 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png?resize=160,85 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-04.png?resize=320,169 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, four of these sites \u2013 BitChute, Gab, Rumble and Telegram \u2013 sell advertising, either on the site itself (such as in the post feed) or in videos. Two sites \u2013 BitChute and Gab \u2013 accept user donations, including in cryptocurrency such as bitcoin. Parler is also exploring crypto as a revenue source through a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace it hosts called DeepRedSky, which features NFTs from Parler itself as well as partners like The Babylon Bee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gab, Parler and Truth Social sell merchandise as another way to generate revenue. The Gab Dissenter Shop sells T-shirts, hats and accessories with various slogans, such as \u201cFaith, Family, Freedom\u201d and \u201cFree Speech.\u201d Parler sells similar merchandise tied closely to the theme of free speech, bearing slogans such as \u201cSTOP being silenced\u201d and \u201cI will not be cancelled.\u201d The Truth Social store sells coffee mugs, drink koozies, and apparel branded with the word \u201cTruth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rumble has developed an additional set of revenue streams \u2013 selling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/truth-social-migrates-to-rumble-cloud-301530740.html\">infrastructure<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/technology\/truth-social-join-rumbles-advertising-platform-2022-08-23\/\">advertisement<\/a> services to Truth Social (as of mid-September 2022, it does not appear that Truth Social has activated this feature).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;Alternative-social-media-sites-vary-in-how-they-organize-user-content&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Alternative-social-media-sites-vary-in-how-they-organize-user-content\">Alternative social media sites vary in how they organize user content<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like their larger, more established peers, alternative social media sites vary in their basic structure. Most of these differences are rooted in the <em>format<\/em> of content that users can post and the ways in which sites present those posts and replies.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-107808\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/pj_2022-10-06_alt-social_2-05-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f2f2f2\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f2f2f2;\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png\" alt=\"A graphic showing how Alternative social media sites present content in different ways\" class=\"wp-image-107808 not-transparent\" width=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png 1280w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png?resize=300,252 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png?resize=768,646 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png?resize=1024,861 1024w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png?resize=482,405 482w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png?resize=200,168 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png?resize=260,219 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png?resize=310,261 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png?resize=420,353 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png?resize=640,538 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png?resize=740,622 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png?resize=160,135 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-05.png?resize=320,269 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two sites \u2013 BitChute and Rumble \u2013 focus on videos. The main pages of these sites show videos in a grid, with featured videos at the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among the five sites that host a wider range of content, distinctions lie in the way they organize those posts as well as in the community and promotional tools they offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the time of the study, four of these sites are organized around a central list of posts from accounts, groups or pages the user follows (the \u201cfeed\u201d). On desktop, the main pages of these sites tend to have a two- or three-column layout with the feed in the middle and other features (such as navigation or featured or suggested posts) on the right or left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the similar layout, these sites differ in key ways, particularly the length of posts, the customizability of the profile page and the presence of different community features. Gettr, Parler and Truth Social each limit the length of their posts to 1,000 characters or fewer, offer limited space for users to customize their profile page, and do not have functionality for groups, which are <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/the-role-of-alternative-social-media-in-the-news-and-information-environment\/#terminology\">spaces for users to discuss topics and interests with other users<\/a>. Gab allows longer post lengths and groups, and posts in groups do not appear to be integrated into the feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sites also differ in how they organize their feed. Of the four sites that use this layout, three organize content in a chronological feed, in which the most recent posts are shown first. Gab offers both a chronological feed and an algorithmic feed that shows trending posts (some sites list trending posts separately).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lastly, Telegram uses a chat model and does not have an aggregated feed; users have to view each channel they subscribe to on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;All-alternative-social-media-sites-studied-available-on-web,-most-available-through-apps&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"All-alternative-social-media-sites-studied-available-on-web,-most-available-through-apps\">All alternative social media sites studied available on web, most available through apps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-107811\" href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/pj_2022-10-06_alt-social_2-06-png\/\"><img data-dominant-color=\"ededed\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #ededed;\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png\" alt=\"A table showing that All alternative social media sites studied are available on web browsers\" class=\"wp-image-107811 not-transparent\" width=\"420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png?resize=300,209 300w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png?resize=768,534 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png?resize=583,405 583w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png?resize=200,139 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png?resize=260,181 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png?resize=310,216 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png?resize=420,292 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png?resize=640,445 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png?resize=740,514 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png?resize=160,111 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_alt-social_2-06.png?resize=320,222 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like most other social media sites, users can access any of these sites through a web browser, and generally can read posts, search and publish their own posts. Five have iOS apps, while four have apps available in the Google Play store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some sites do not have apps for mobile devices. Apple and Google, which are the main sources of apps for iOS and Android devices, control what apps are available on their individual stores and have publicly expressed concerns about the content on some of these alternative social media sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, both companies <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2021\/01\/09\/tech\/parler-suspended-apple-app-store\/index.html\">temporarily pulled<\/a> Parler off of their stores because organizers reportedly used the app to help plan the riot (Parler also was dropped by its internet hosting service). Parler <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2021\/04\/19\/apple-will-allow-parler-back-on-the-app-store.html\">returned to the Apple App Store<\/a> later that year after enhancing its content moderation and did not return to the Google Play Store <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2022\/09\/02\/google-parler-app-play-store\">until September 2022<\/a>. Truth Social also has an app available on the Apple App Store, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2022\/08\/30\/technology\/google-trump-truth-social-violent-content.html\">but as of September 2022 Google<\/a> has requested more moderation before allowing it on their Play Store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2017\/08\/17\/alt-social-network-gab-booted-from-google-play-store-for-hate-speech\/\">Google removed Gab<\/a> for hate speech in 2017, while Apple has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inc.com\/salvador-rodriguez\/gab-apple-inauguration.html\">repeatedly rejected<\/a> the app for similar reasons. And in August 2022, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2022\/8\/11\/23301864\/telegram-founder-pavel-durov-blames-apple-holding-back-major-update\">Telegram CEO Pavel Durov said<\/a> that Apple was delaying approval of an update to the Telegram mobile app, though this turned out to be because Apple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/telegram-telemoji-blocked-by-apple-191552654.html?src=rss\">objected to a new feature<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>To further understand the structure, features and driving principles of alternative social media sites, Pew Research Center researchers conducted an audit of the seven sites analyzed at length in Chapter 1 of this report \u2013 BitChute, Gab, Gettr, Parler, Rumble, Telegram and Truth Social. Researchers visited each site in April 2022, examining characteristics ranging from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":377,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","sub_headline":"","sub_title":"","_prc_public_revisions":[],"_ppp_expiration_hours":0,"_ppp_enabled":false,"ai_generated_summary":"","bylines":[],"acknowledgements":[],"displayBylines":true,"relatedPosts":[],"reportMaterials":[],"multiSectionReport":[],"package_parts__enabled":false,"package_parts":[],"_prc_fork_parent":0,"_prc_fork_status":"","_prc_active_fork":0,"datacite_doi":"","datacite_doi_citation":"","_prc_seo_qr_attachment_id":0,"spoken_article_player_enabled":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[334,103,330,338,329,282,56,58,307,352,283],"tags":[],"bylines":[973,987,2094,962,983,889,746,646,606],"collection":[],"datasets":[],"level_of_effort":[],"primary_audience":[],"information_type":[],"_post_visibility":[],"formats":[458],"_fund_pool":[],"languages":[],"regions-countries":[],"research-teams":[521,527],"class_list":["post-87571","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-digital-news-landscape-1","category-free-speech-press","category-freedom-of-the-press","category-media-polarization","category-misinformation","category-misinformation-online","category-political-discourse","category-politics-media-2","category-social-media","category-social-media-news","category-tech-companies-1","bylines-aaron-smith","bylines-amy-mitchell","bylines-christopher-st-aubin","bylines-galen-stocking","bylines-katerina-eva-matsa","bylines-mark-jurkowitz","bylines-regina-widjaya","bylines-sarah-naseer","bylines-shreenita-ghosh","formats-report","research-teams-data-labs","research-teams-journalism"],"label":false,"post_parent":87579,"word_count":2847,"canonical_url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/","art_direction":{"A1":{"id":107812,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_22.10.05_AltSocial_featured.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_22.10.05_AltSocial_featured.png?w=564&h=317&crop=1","width":564,"height":317,"caption":"","chartArt":false},"A2":{"id":107812,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_22.10.05_AltSocial_featured.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_22.10.05_AltSocial_featured.png?w=268&h=151&crop=1","width":268,"height":151,"caption":"","chartArt":false},"A3":{"id":107812,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_22.10.05_AltSocial_featured.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_22.10.05_AltSocial_featured.png?w=194&h=110&crop=1","width":194,"height":110,"caption":"","chartArt":false},"A4":{"id":107812,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_22.10.05_AltSocial_featured.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_22.10.05_AltSocial_featured.png?w=268&h=151&crop=1","width":268,"height":151,"caption":"","chartArt":false},"XL":{"id":107812,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_22.10.05_AltSocial_featured.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_22.10.05_AltSocial_featured.png?w=720&h=405&crop=1","width":720,"height":405,"caption":"","chartArt":false},"social":{"id":107812,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_22.10.05_AltSocial_featured.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2022\/10\/PJ_22.10.05_AltSocial_featured.png?w=1200&h=628&crop=1","width":1200,"height":628,"caption":"","chartArt":false}},"_embeds":[],"table_of_contents":[{"id":87579,"title":"The Role of Alternative Social Media in the News and Information Environment","slug":"the-role-of-alternative-social-media-in-the-news-and-information-environment","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/the-role-of-alternative-social-media-in-the-news-and-information-environment\/","is_active":false},{"id":87576,"title":"1. Americans are more aware of some alternative social media sites than others, but overall, very few get news there","slug":"americans-are-more-aware-of-some-alternative-social-media-sites-than-others-but-overall-very-few-get-news-there","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/americans-are-more-aware-of-some-alternative-social-media-sites-than-others-but-overall-very-few-get-news-there\/","is_active":false},{"id":87571,"title":"2. Alternative social media sites frequently identify as free speech advocates","slug":"alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/","is_active":true},{"id":87569,"title":"3. Prominent accounts on alternative social media sites mostly are individuals, not organizations","slug":"prominent-accounts-on-alternative-social-media-sites-mostly-are-individuals-not-organizations","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/prominent-accounts-on-alternative-social-media-sites-mostly-are-individuals-not-organizations\/","is_active":false},{"id":87588,"title":"4. Content from prominent alternative social media accounts highlights extreme vaccine skepticism, anxiety over LGBTQ issues","slug":"content-from-prominent-alternative-social-media-accounts-highlights-extreme-vaccine-skepticism-anxiety-over-lgbtq-issues","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/content-from-prominent-alternative-social-media-accounts-highlights-extreme-vaccine-skepticism-anxiety-over-lgbtq-issues\/","is_active":false},{"id":87586,"title":"Acknowledgments","slug":"alternative-social-media-acknowledgments","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-acknowledgments\/","is_active":false},{"id":87557,"title":"Appendix A: Detailed tables for audit of seven alternative social media sites","slug":"alternative-social-media-appendix-a-detailed-tables-for-audit-of-seven-alternative-social-media-sites","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-appendix-a-detailed-tables-for-audit-of-seven-alternative-social-media-sites\/","is_active":false},{"id":87582,"title":"Appendix B: Detailed tables for content analysis of sample of prominent accounts","slug":"alternative-social-media-appendix-b-detailed-tables-for-content-analysis-of-sample-of-prominent-accounts","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-appendix-b-detailed-tables-for-content-analysis-of-sample-of-prominent-accounts\/","is_active":false},{"id":87567,"title":"Appendix C: Detailed tables for content analysis of posts from prominent accounts from June 2022","slug":"alternative-social-media-appendix-c-detailed-tables-for-content-analysis-of-posts-from-prominent-accounts-from-june-2022","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-appendix-c-detailed-tables-for-content-analysis-of-posts-from-prominent-accounts-from-june-2022\/","is_active":false},{"id":87554,"title":"Appendix D: Sampled affiliated prominent accounts, by site","slug":"alternative-social-media-appendix-d-sampled-affiliated-prominent-accounts-by-site","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-appendix-d-sampled-affiliated-prominent-accounts-by-site\/","is_active":false},{"id":87564,"title":"Methodology","slug":"alternative-social-media-methodology","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-methodology\/","is_active":false}],"report_materials":[{"key":"_8lvzheiph","type":"report","attachmentId":93833,"url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_Alternative-Social-Media.pdf","label":"","icon":""},{"key":"_mm12a70tp","type":"topline","attachmentId":93739,"url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/10\/PJ_2022.10.06_Alternative-Social-Media_TOPLINE.pdf","label":"","icon":""}],"report_pagination":{"current_post":{"id":87571,"title":"2. Alternative social media sites frequently identify as free speech advocates","slug":"alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/","is_active":true,"page_num":3},"next_post":{"id":87569,"title":"3. Prominent accounts on alternative social media sites mostly are individuals, not organizations","slug":"prominent-accounts-on-alternative-social-media-sites-mostly-are-individuals-not-organizations","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/prominent-accounts-on-alternative-social-media-sites-mostly-are-individuals-not-organizations\/","is_active":false,"page_num":4},"previous_post":{"id":87576,"title":"1. Americans are more aware of some alternative social media sites than others, but overall, very few get news there","slug":"americans-are-more-aware-of-some-alternative-social-media-sites-than-others-but-overall-very-few-get-news-there","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/americans-are-more-aware-of-some-alternative-social-media-sites-than-others-but-overall-very-few-get-news-there\/","is_active":false,"page_num":2},"pagination_items":[{"id":87579,"title":"The Role of Alternative Social Media in the News and Information Environment","slug":"the-role-of-alternative-social-media-in-the-news-and-information-environment","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/the-role-of-alternative-social-media-in-the-news-and-information-environment\/","is_active":false,"page_num":1},{"id":87576,"title":"1. Americans are more aware of some alternative social media sites than others, but overall, very few get news there","slug":"americans-are-more-aware-of-some-alternative-social-media-sites-than-others-but-overall-very-few-get-news-there","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/americans-are-more-aware-of-some-alternative-social-media-sites-than-others-but-overall-very-few-get-news-there\/","is_active":false,"page_num":2},{"id":87571,"title":"2. Alternative social media sites frequently identify as free speech advocates","slug":"alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-sites-frequently-identify-as-free-speech-advocates\/","is_active":true,"page_num":3},{"id":87569,"title":"3. Prominent accounts on alternative social media sites mostly are individuals, not organizations","slug":"prominent-accounts-on-alternative-social-media-sites-mostly-are-individuals-not-organizations","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/prominent-accounts-on-alternative-social-media-sites-mostly-are-individuals-not-organizations\/","is_active":false,"page_num":4},{"id":87588,"title":"4. Content from prominent alternative social media accounts highlights extreme vaccine skepticism, anxiety over LGBTQ issues","slug":"content-from-prominent-alternative-social-media-accounts-highlights-extreme-vaccine-skepticism-anxiety-over-lgbtq-issues","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/content-from-prominent-alternative-social-media-accounts-highlights-extreme-vaccine-skepticism-anxiety-over-lgbtq-issues\/","is_active":false,"page_num":5},{"id":87586,"title":"Acknowledgments","slug":"alternative-social-media-acknowledgments","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-acknowledgments\/","is_active":false,"page_num":6},{"id":87557,"title":"Appendix A: Detailed tables for audit of seven alternative social media sites","slug":"alternative-social-media-appendix-a-detailed-tables-for-audit-of-seven-alternative-social-media-sites","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-appendix-a-detailed-tables-for-audit-of-seven-alternative-social-media-sites\/","is_active":false,"page_num":7},{"id":87582,"title":"Appendix B: Detailed tables for content analysis of sample of prominent accounts","slug":"alternative-social-media-appendix-b-detailed-tables-for-content-analysis-of-sample-of-prominent-accounts","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-appendix-b-detailed-tables-for-content-analysis-of-sample-of-prominent-accounts\/","is_active":false,"page_num":8},{"id":87567,"title":"Appendix C: Detailed tables for content analysis of posts from prominent accounts from June 2022","slug":"alternative-social-media-appendix-c-detailed-tables-for-content-analysis-of-posts-from-prominent-accounts-from-june-2022","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2022\/10\/06\/alternative-social-media-appendix-c-detailed-tables-for-content-analysis-of-posts-from-prominent-accounts-from-june-2022\/","is_active":false,"page_num":9},{"id":87554,"title":"Appendix D: Sampled affiliated prominent accounts, by 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