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Gab expected to be back online this weekend

The Pittsburgh synagogue shooting shined a harsh spotlight on the fringe social network.

Queenie Wong Former Senior Writer
Queenie Wong was a senior writer for CNET News, focusing on social media companies including Facebook's parent company Meta, Twitter and TikTok. Before joining CNET, she worked for The Mercury News in San Jose and the Statesman Journal in Salem, Oregon. A native of Southern California, she took her first journalism class in middle school.
Expertise I've been writing about social media since 2015 but have previously covered politics, crime and education. I also have a degree in studio art. Credentials
  • 2022 Eddie award for consumer analysis
Queenie Wong
Mourners seen at the memorial service for the victims of the

Mourners seen at the memorial service for the victims of the Tree of Life massacre. 

Getty Images

Gab, the fringe social network apparently used by the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting suspect, is planning to return online this weekend.

Chatter on the social media site, a Twitter alternative that's popular among some conservatives and white nationalists, went silent by Monday after GoDaddy pulled the domain registration from the site. GoDaddy said it made the decision after receiving complaints and finding content on Gab that "promotes and encourages violence against people."

Criticism of Gab intensified after reports surfaced that Robert Bowers, who allegedly shot and killed 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Saturday, used the social network to spew hatred of Jews. PayPal, Stripe, Joyent, Shopify and Medium also cut ties with Gab.

Gab CEO Andrew Torba has defended the social network as a free speech platform.

In a tweet late Thursday night, Gab said its logo of the month will include a dove to honor the victims of the Pittsburgh shooting and their families. 

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