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'''BitChute''' is a [[video hosting service]] that uses [[Peer-to-peer (computing)|peer-to-peer]] [[WebTorrent]] technology<ref name="torrentfreak">{{Cite news |url=https://torrentfreak.com/bitchute-is-a-bittorrent-powered-youtube-alternative-170129/ |title=BitChute is a BitTorrent-Powered YouTube Alternative |date=2017-01-29 |work=TorrentFreak |access-date=2017-12-10 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
'''BitChute''' is a [[video hosting service]] that uses [[Peer-to-peer (computing)|peer-to-peer]] [[WebTorrent]] technology.<ref name="torrentfreak">{{Cite news |url=https://torrentfreak.com/bitchute-is-a-bittorrent-powered-youtube-alternative-170129/ |title=BitChute is a BitTorrent-Powered YouTube Alternative |date=2017-01-29 |work=TorrentFreak |access-date=2017-12-10 |language=en-US}}</ref> It was founded as a way to avoid content rules that are enforced on platforms like YouTube,<ref name="torrentfreak" /><ref name=":2" /> and some creators who have had their channels "demonetized" on YouTube have migrated to BitChute.<ref name=":0" /> The platform has been criticized by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) for hosting "hate-fueled material".<ref name=":1" /> |
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== History == |
== History == |
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The company was founded by Ray Vahey. He described it as a way to avoid [[censorship]] and "[[demonetization]]" by established services like |
The company was founded by Ray Vahey. He described it as a way to avoid [[censorship]] and "[[demonetization]]" by established services like YouTube.<ref name="torrentfreak" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.itwire.com/entertainment/76552-bitchute-the-first-serious-youtube-competitor.html|title=iTWire - BitChute: the first serious YouTube competitor?|last=Beer|first=Doron|website=www.itwire.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-12-10}}</ref> Posted on January 3, 2017, "This is the first video on #BitChute" was the first sample video and test of the uploading process featuring a woman using a tablet.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bitchute.com/video/UGlrF9o9b-Q/|title=This is the first video on #BitChute|publisher=BitChute|date=January 3, 2017|accessdate=January 1, 2018}}</ref> In September 2017, [[far-right]] YouTuber [[Lauren Southern]] said she was considering switching to the site in response to YouTube's demonetization of political videos.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://uk.businessinsider.com/far-right-tech-platforms-gab-youtube-bitchute-2017-9?r=US&IR=T|title='There's no one for right-wingers to pick a fight with': The far right is struggling to sustain interest in its social media platforms|work=Business Insider|access-date=2017-12-10|language=en}}</ref> Southern has automatically mirrored her YouTube channel on BitChute since March 23, 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Southern |first1=Lauren |title=Lauren Southern |url=https://www.bitchute.com/LaurenSouthern/ |website=BitChute |accessdate=August 16, 2018 |language=en |date=August 14, 2018}}</ref> In November 2018, BitChute was banned from [[PayPal]] along with [[Alex Jones]], the [[Proud Boys]], and anti-fascist groups.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/14/bitchute-youtube-alternative-cries-foul-over-appar/|title=BitChute, YouTube alternative, cries foul over apparent punt from PayPal|last=http://www.washingtontimes.com|first=The Washington Times|work=The Washington Times|access-date=2018-11-28|language=en-US}}</ref> In January 2019, BitChute announced in a post on [[Gab (social network)|Gab]] that they would move their domains over to Epik.com.<ref name=":1" /> |
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== Technology == |
== Technology == |
Revision as of 04:29, 4 May 2019
Type of site | Video hosting service |
---|---|
Available in | English |
Headquarters | Gravesend, Kent, England, United Kingdom |
Created by | Ray Vahey |
URL | BitChute.com |
Registration | Optional |
Launched | January 3, 2017 |
BitChute is a video hosting service that uses peer-to-peer WebTorrent technology.[2] It was founded as a way to avoid content rules that are enforced on platforms like YouTube,[2][3] and some creators who have had their channels "demonetized" on YouTube have migrated to BitChute.[4] The platform has been criticized by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) for hosting "hate-fueled material".[5]
History
The company was founded by Ray Vahey. He described it as a way to avoid censorship and "demonetization" by established services like YouTube.[2][3] Posted on January 3, 2017, "This is the first video on #BitChute" was the first sample video and test of the uploading process featuring a woman using a tablet.[6] In September 2017, far-right YouTuber Lauren Southern said she was considering switching to the site in response to YouTube's demonetization of political videos.[7] Southern has automatically mirrored her YouTube channel on BitChute since March 23, 2017.[8] In November 2018, BitChute was banned from PayPal along with Alex Jones, the Proud Boys, and anti-fascist groups.[9] In January 2019, BitChute announced in a post on Gab that they would move their domains over to Epik.com.[5]
Technology
BitChute is based on the peer-to-peer WebTorrent system; a JavaScript torrenting program that can run in a web browser.[10] Users watching a video also seed it. Despite similar functionally, WebTorrent is not compatible with BitTorrent[11] since WebTorrent only uses the same protocol as BitTorrent but uses a different transport. However, the WebTorrent Desktop stand alone version is able to bridge the WebRTC-based WebTorrent and TCP/UDP-based BitTorrent serverless networks.[12]
The BitChute website acts as a front end and portal for WebTorrent. When users upload a video it is converted to a WebTorrent and given a page on BitChute's website.[citation needed]
Reception
There has been conflict between YouTube and content creators over the content of some videos uploaded. The company responded in some cases by banning creators, blocking their videos or through channel "demonetization". As a response, some popular creators have started BitChute channels.[4] These include Dave Cullen (Computing Forever)[13] and various right-wing channels.[4][14] The Southern Poverty Law Center has called BitChute a "low-rent YouTube clone that carries an array of hate-fueled material".[5]
See also
References
- ^ "Bitchute.com Traffic, Demographics and Competitors - Alexa". Alexa Internet. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
- ^ a b c "BitChute is a BitTorrent-Powered YouTube Alternative". TorrentFreak. 2017-01-29. Retrieved 2017-12-10.
- ^ a b Beer, Doron. "iTWire - BitChute: the first serious YouTube competitor?". www.itwire.com. Retrieved 2017-12-10.
- ^ a b c "Right-Wing YouTubers Think It's Only A Matter Of Time Before They Get Kicked Off The Site".
- ^ a b c "A Problem of Epik Proportions". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
- ^ "This is the first video on #BitChute". BitChute. January 3, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "'There's no one for right-wingers to pick a fight with': The far right is struggling to sustain interest in its social media platforms". Business Insider. Retrieved 2017-12-10.
- ^ Southern, Lauren (August 14, 2018). "Lauren Southern". BitChute. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
- ^ http://www.washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times. "BitChute, YouTube alternative, cries foul over apparent punt from PayPal". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
{{cite news}}
: External link in
(help)|last=
- ^ Ernesto (2018-01-04). "WebTorrent Desktop Hits a Million Downloads". TorrentFreak.com. TorrentFreak. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
- ^ "bitchute-is-a-bittorrent-powered-youtube-alternative".
- ^ Heavybit (2017-07-06). "Demuxed - Ep. #5, WebTorrent: Bringing BitTorrent to the Web". YouTube. Heavybit. Retrieved 2018-11-03. @4:35+
- ^ "Internet Archive Search: Dave Cullen". The Wayback Machine. The Internet Archive. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
- ^ "Internet Archive Search: bitchute". The Wayback Machine. The Internet Archive. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
External links
- Official website of BitChute