Gab’s Response To The German Government’s Data Request

Dear Gab Community,

I wanted to inform you about a recent development that underscores our unwavering commitment to free speech principles and the protection of our users’ privacy. We have just received a data request from the German government concerning a user who, back in 2022, made a comment that was deemed “offensive” by a German politician. This comment, which referred to the politician’s weight, has prompted the German government to demand that we hand over the user’s data so they can identify and potentially imprison them for up to five years. Yes, you read that correctly: the German government is demanding Gab user data over a two year old post that called a German politician fat. 

At Gab AI Inc., we stand resolute in our belief that free speech is a fundamental human right and that our users should be able to express themselves without fear of censorship or retaliation. We also take the privacy of our users very seriously and will not compromise their civil liberties for the sake of appeasing foreign governments that seek to stifle free speech.

In light of this, we have responded to the German government’s request with a firm rejection. We will not be providing any user data related to the alleged offense, as the speech in question is protected by US law. This decision demonstrates our resolve to continue supporting and defending the rights of our users, even in the face of external pressures.

Gab’s unwavering commitment to free speech and user privacy has come at a significant cost. Each year, we invest a substantial portion of our resources into legal fees as we defend the rights of our users against governments and entities that seek to infringe upon these fundamental liberties. This ongoing battle to preserve the freedom of expression and privacy of our community is a responsibility we take very seriously, and we remain resolute in our determination to protect our users’ rights.

However, we could not continue to fight these battles without the support of our community. The generosity and dedication of our users have enabled us to cover the costs associated with defending free speech and privacy, allowing us to maintain our steadfast stance against those who would seek to silence or marginalize our users. To those of you who have contributed to our cause through GabPRO upgrades, advertising on our platform, donations, or purchases from the Gab Shop, we express our deepest gratitude. Your support is essential to our ongoing mission to protect free speech and user privacy, and we are humbled by your commitment to these principles.

If you are not yet a GabPRO member, please consider upgrading your account to help us cover the costs of dealing with foreign governments and other entities that threaten our users’ rights. Alternatively, you can support Gab by running ads for your business on our platform, making a donation, or purchasing items from the Gab Shop. Your support, in any form, is invaluable to our continued fight for free speech and privacy, and we thank you for standing with us in this crucial endeavor.

As a platform that champions free expression, Gab will always prioritize the protection of our users’ privacy and civil liberties. We understand that our stance on these matters may not always be popular, but we remain steadfast in our convictions. We believe that a truly free and open internet is essential for the flourishing of diverse ideas and perspectives, and we will continue to fight for this ideal.

Thank you for your ongoing support and trust in Gab as a platform that values free speech and user privacy. We look forward to continuing to serve you and the broader Gab community in the pursuit of these principles.

Sincerely,

Andrew Torba CEO and Founder, Gab AI Inc.

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