Wimkin

Wimkin is a social network that claims to promote free speech.[1] The site describes itself as "100% uncensored social media".[2] Wimkin was launched in August 2020 and was founded by Jason Sheppard.

Wimkin
Type of site
Social network
Available inEnglish
Founder(s)Jason Sheppard
IndustryInternet
URLwimkin.com
Users300,000
LaunchedAugust 2020

As of January 2021, Wimkin had 300,000 users.[1]

History

Wimkin launched in August 2020 after being founded by Jason Sheppard.[1][3][4]

On January 12, 2021, Apple removed Wimkin from the Apple App Store due to violent content on the platform, including calls for a civil war and the arrest of Vice President Mike Pence.[1] Sheppard claimed in response that Wimkin had removed the violent content after Apple reported it to them, however, Apple claimed in response that they "continued to find direct threats of violence and calls to incite lawless action" on Wimkin.[1] After Wimkin was removed from the App Store, Wimkin's website was hit with a DDoS attack.[5]

Google subsequently removed Wimkin from the Google Play Store, with a Google spokesperson saying of the ban that "We don’t allow apps that depict or facilitate gratuitous violence or other dangerous activities".[5][6] In response, Sheppard accused Google of treating Wimkin unfairly, stating in an email that "We're being treated entirely unfairly and if we aren't reinstated when we've worked tirelessly to comply and become a better platform, we will be seeking legal remedy to at the very least, shed some light into this tyrannical monopoly"[4]

After Parler, another social network, was pulled offline by its host Amazon Web Services on January 11, former users of that site started migrating to Wimkin.[3] In the twelve days following the storming of the United States Capitol, Wimkin claimed that its userbase had grown by 20 percent, amounting to around 55,000 new users.[4]

Users and content

While Wimkin has groups relating to mundane topics, such as pets and travelling, Wimkin also has groups relating to fringe content, such as the far-right conspiracy theory QAnon.[3] There were also posts and a group on Wimkin attempting to organize a "Million Militia March" for January 20, 2021 on Inauguration Day, but the posts and group were removed.[1][7]

In January 2021, David Eberti of The Wall Street Journal found posts on Wimkin comparing Democrats with Nazis and a meme saying "If you don’t believe in violence, get ready to hide behind someone who does."[6]

Moderation

Wimkin prohibits pornography and inciting violence.[6] The site also doesn't fact-check posts.[6]

Reception

In January 2021, Anthony Cuthbertson of The Independent called Wimkin "yet another social media app popular with far right users".[2]

Design

According to SFGate, Wimkin functions like a combination of Twitter and Facebook, with users of the site being allowed to post to a wider audience, comment and like other posts, and join groups.[3]

References
  1. Uberti, David (2021-01-15). "Apple's App Store Removes Social Media Platform Wimkin Over Calls to Violence". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  2. Cuthbertson, Anthony (2021-01-21). "Google bans another right wing social media app from its Play store". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  3. Parker, Bryan C. (2021-01-15). "The next Parler: I tried four apps attracting right-wing users". SFGate. Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  4. Shalvey, Kevin (2021-01-24). "Wimkin's founder says his company is being treated unfairly after its app was removed by Google and Apple app stores". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2021-01-29. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  5. Shalvey, Kevin (2021-01-15). "Wimkin, a free speech network, says it was hit with a 'massive' DDoS attack after being banned from Apple's App Store". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  6. Uberti, David (2021-01-20). "Google Play Suspends Wimkin, Citing Posts Calling for Violence". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  7. Guynn, Jessica; Johnson, Kevin (2021-01-07). "Inauguration Day 2021: What now? Capitol riots, Trump supporter threats prompt safety concerns". USA Today. Archived from the original on 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2021-01-16.


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