On Saturday, a Pennsylvania man was accused of shooting 11 people to death at a synagogue in Pittsburgh in what is being considered the worst attack on Jews at worship in American history.

Before the attack, the suspected gunman posted a message on Gab, a fringe social media network launched in 2016. His use of Gab has thrust the service into the spotlight.

Here's what you need to know about Gab:

How did it start?

Gab was launched in 2016 as an alternative to traditional platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. During that time, Twitter had suspended several accounts associated with the "alt-right" movement on the same day it vowed a crackdown on hate speech.

The suspensions pushed many people to Gab, which has fewer restrictions on what content users can post compared with Twitter and other social media.

"Gab’s mission is to put people and free speech first," the service's guidelines say. "We believe that the only valid form of censorship is an individual’s own choice to opt-out."

The relaxed rules opened the door for content such as anti-Semitic posts and conspiracy theories. In August, according to The Verge, Microsoft threatened to stop hosting the social network over a pair of anti-Semitic posts, which eventually were removed.

Gab's rules say it prohibits activities such as posting illegal pornography, engaging in any illegal activity using Gab, or "calling for the acts of violence against others, promoting or engaging in self-harm, and/or acts of cruelty, threatening language or behavior that clearly, directly and incontrovertibly infringes on the safety of another user or individual(s)."

How is the suspect in Pittsburgh connected?

Before entering the synagogue, an account appearing to belong to suspect Robert Bowers, 46, posted a message on Gab: "I can't sit by an watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics. I'm going in."

His profile also featured multiple anti-Semitic comments and conspiracy theories, including one referenced in his last post claiming the organization HIAS, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, was bringing "invaders in to kill our people."

More: Who is Robert Bowers? Accused Pittsburgh synagogue shooter left anti-semitic trail

In a statement, Gab said it was "saddened and disgusted" by the Pittsburgh attack. "Gab took swift and proactive action to contact law enforcement immediately," the service said in a statement. "We first backed up all user data from the account and then proceeded to suspend the account."

PayPal spokesman Justin Higgs said the payments service canceled Gab's account and had been in the process of ending its account before the shooting. "The company is diligent in performing reviews and taking account actions," Higgs said. "When a site is allowing the perpetuation of hate, violence or discriminatory intolerance, we take immediate and decisive action."

On Twitter, Gab said payment processing service Stripe and hosting provider Joyent were going to ban the service. Representatives from Joyent could not be immediately reached for comment. In a statement, Stripe said the company can’t comment on individual users for privacy reasons.

In a statement, Gab said the behavior from Bowers and other users isn't unique to its service. "Criminals and criminal behavior exist on every social media platform."</s>On Saturday, a Pennsylvania man was accused of killing 11 people during a shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, in what is being considered the worst attack on worshipping Jewish people in American history.

Prior to the attack, the alleged gunman posted a message on Gab, a fringe social media network launched in 2016. His use of Gab has thrust the service into the spotlight.

Here's what you need to know about Gab:

How did it start?

Gab launched in 2016 as an alternative to traditional platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. During that time, Twitter had suspended several accounts associated with the "alt-right" movement on the same day it vowed a crackdown on hate speech.

The suspensions pushed many people to Gab, which has fewer restrictions on what content users can post compared to Twitter and other social media.

"Gab’s mission is to put people and free speech first," reads an excerpt from the service's guidelines. "We believe that the only valid form of censorship is an individual’s own choice to opt-out."

The relaxed rules opened the door for content such as anti-Semitic posts and conspiracy theories. In August, according to The Verge, Microsoft threatened to stop hosting the social network over a pair of anti-Semitic posts, which were eventually removed.

However, Gab's rules say it prohibits activities such as posting illegal pornography, engaging in any illegal activity using Gab, or "calling for the acts of violence against others, promoting or engaging in self-harm, and/or acts of cruelty, threatening language or behavior that clearly, directly and incontrovertibly infringes on the safety of another user or individual(s)."

How is the shooter in Pittsburgh connected?

Prior to entering the synagogue, an account appearing to belong to accused gunman Robert Bowers, 46, posted a message on Gab: "I can't sit by an watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics. I'm going in."

His profile also featured multiple anti-Semitic comments and conspiracy theories, including one referenced in his last post claiming the organization HIAS, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, was bringing "invaders in to kill our people."

More: Who is Robert Bowers? Accused Pittsburgh synagogue shooter left anti-semitic trail

In a statement, Gab said it was "saddened and disgusted" by the Pittsburgh attack. "Gab took swift and proactive action to contact law enforcement immediately," said the service in a statement. "We first backed up all user data from the account and then proceeded to suspend the account."

PayPal spokesman Justin Higgs said the payments service canceled Gab's account, and had been in the process of ending its account before the shooting in Pittsburgh. "The company is diligent in performing reviews and taking account actions," said Higgs. "When a site is allowing the perpetuation of hate, violence or discriminatory intolerance, we take immediate and decisive action."

On Twitter, Gab said payment processing service Stripe and hosting provider Joyent were going to ban the service. Representatives from Joyent could not be immediately reached for comment. In a statement, Stripe said the company can’t comment on individual users for privacy reasons.

In a statement, Gab said the behavior from Bowers and other user isn't unique to its service. "Criminals and criminal behavior exist on every social media platform."</s>
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• What is Gab, the social network used by Pittsburgh shooting suspect?

The man arrested in the mass shooting Saturday at a Pennsylvania synagogue appears to have made virulently anti-Semitic posts on a social media platform popular with far-right figures who feel their views aren't welcome on other social media services. Police have identified the suspect as Robert Bowers, 46, of Pittsburgh . A deactivated account on the website Gab appears to have been associated with Bowers. It included postings that are anti-Semitic and anti-refugee in nature and that are also critical of President Trump.Much like Twitter, Facebook and other social media networks, Gab allows users to share short multimedia messages known as "gabs."Gab, though, has become an alternative to Twitter for users whose racist and harassing online behavior got them banned from the mainstream platform, according to the Associated Press. The company said it disavows acts of terrorism and violence but sees its mission as defending "free expression and individual liberty online for all people."In a Setepmber profile, Breitbart characterized Gab as "an infrastructure for tech developers that wish to grow their own platforms and products without being forced to go through leftist companies based in Silicon Valley."CEO Andrew Torba told Breitbart that the website was popular with users in Brazil, Sweden and India "after a recent wave of censorship aimed at major influencers on the right."In a statement, Gab.com said it suspended the account apparently associated with Bowers Saturday morning shortly after his name was mentioned on police radio chatter. The company said it backed up the content of the account and has been in contact with the FBI about the contents of the account.Law enforcement officials confirmed to ABC News that they are looking into statements apparently made to and by Bowers on Gab and other social networks.Amid increased scrutiny after the shooting, Gab said on Twitter it had been dropped by its web hosting company and banned by Paypal and financial services company Stripe."Gab is not going anywhere. I don't care what we have to do, I don't care what it takes. We will build everything from the ground up if we have to," Torba later wrote on Gab, adding that the site's users should "pray for the victims and their families."</s>Washington: The website where the suspected Pittsburgh synagogue gunman posted anti-Semitic views said on Sunday it was "working around the clock" to stay online after being cut off by payment processors and forced to switch web hosts.

The 46-year-old suspect Robert Bowers posted on Gab.com just hours before murdering 11 people on Saturday in the deadliest attack ever on the Jewish community in the United States, saying a non-profit that helps Jewish refugees relocate to the country was helping to kill "my people."

PayPal Holdings Inc banned the website from using its money-sending services on Saturday.

Gab said on Saturday it received notice it would be blocked by another payments website, Stripe Inc, and had switched to a new web-hosting service after Joyent Inc warned it would cut off the website.

Gab did not say who the new web host was.</s>On Saturday, a Pennsylvania man was accused of killing 11 people during a shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, in what is being considered the worst attack on worshipping Jewish people in American history.

Prior to the attack, the alleged gunman posted a message on Gab, a fringe social media network launched in 2016. His use of Gab has thrust the service into the spotlight.

Here's what you need to know about Gab:

How did it start?

Gab launched in 2016 as an alternative to traditional platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. During that time, Twitter had suspended several accounts associated with the "alt-right" movement on the same day it vowed a crackdown on hate speech.

The suspensions pushed many people to Gab, which has fewer restrictions on what content users can post compared to Twitter and other social media.

"Gab’s mission is to put people and free speech first," reads an excerpt from the service's guidelines. "We believe that the only valid form of censorship is an individual’s own choice to opt-out."

The relaxed rules opened the door for content such as anti-Semitic posts and conspiracy theories. In August, according to The Verge, Microsoft threatened to stop hosting the social network over a pair of anti-Semitic posts, which were eventually removed.

However, Gab's rules say it prohibits activities such as posting illegal pornography, engaging in any illegal activity using Gab, or "calling for the acts of violence against others, promoting or engaging in self-harm, and/or acts of cruelty, threatening language or behavior that clearly, directly and incontrovertibly infringes on the safety of another user or individual(s)."

How is the shooter in Pittsburgh connected?

Prior to entering the synagogue, an account appearing to belong to accused gunman Robert Bowers, 46, posted a message on Gab: "I can't sit by an watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics. I'm going in."

His profile also featured multiple anti-Semitic comments and conspiracy theories, including one referenced in his last post claiming the organization HIAS, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, was bringing "invaders in to kill our people."

More: Who is Robert Bowers? Accused Pittsburgh synagogue shooter left anti-semitic trail

In a statement, Gab said it was "saddened and disgusted" by the Pittsburgh attack. "Gab took swift and proactive action to contact law enforcement immediately," said the service in a statement. "We first backed up all user data from the account and then proceeded to suspend the account."

PayPal spokesman Justin Higgs said the payments service canceled Gab's account, and had been in the process of ending its account before the shooting in Pittsburgh. "The company is diligent in performing reviews and taking account actions," said Higgs. "When a site is allowing the perpetuation of hate, violence or discriminatory intolerance, we take immediate and decisive action."

On Twitter, Gab said payment processing service Stripe and hosting provider Joyent were going to ban the service. Representatives from Joyent could not be immediately reached for comment. In a statement, Stripe said the company can’t comment on individual users for privacy reasons.

In a statement, Gab said the behavior from Bowers and other user isn't unique to its service. "Criminals and criminal behavior exist on every social media platform."</s>On Saturday, a Pennsylvania man was accused of killing 11 people during a shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, in what is being considered the worst attack on worshipping Jewish people in American history.

Prior to the attack, the alleged gunman posted a message on Gab, a fringe social media network launched in 2016. His use of Gab has thrust the service into the spotlight.

Here's what you need to know about Gab:

How did it start?

Gab launched in 2016 as an alternative to traditional platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. During that time, Twitter had suspended several accounts associated with the "alt-right" movement on the same day it vowed a crackdown on hate speech.

The suspensions pushed many people to Gab, which has fewer restrictions on what content users can post compared to Twitter and other social media.

"Gab’s mission is to put people and free speech first," reads an excerpt from the service's guidelines. "We believe that the only valid form of censorship is an individual’s own choice to opt-out."

The relaxed rules opened the door for content such as anti-Semitic posts and conspiracy theories. In August, according to The Verge, Microsoft threatened to stop hosting the social network over a pair of anti-Semitic posts, which were eventually removed.

However, Gab's rules say it prohibits activities such as posting illegal pornography, engaging in any illegal activity using Gab, or "calling for the acts of violence against others, promoting or engaging in self-harm, and/or acts of cruelty, threatening language or behavior that clearly, directly and incontrovertibly infringes on the safety of another user or individual(s)."

How is the shooter in Pittsburgh connected?

Prior to entering the synagogue, an account appearing to belong to accused gunman Robert Bowers, 46, posted a message on Gab: "I can't sit by an watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics. I'm going in."

His profile also featured multiple anti-Semitic comments and conspiracy theories, including one referenced in his last post claiming the organization HIAS, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, was bringing "invaders in to kill our people."

More: Who is Robert Bowers? Accused Pittsburgh synagogue shooter left anti-semitic trail

In a statement, Gab said it was "saddened and disgusted" by the Pittsburgh attack. "Gab took swift and proactive action to contact law enforcement immediately," said the service in a statement. "We first backed up all user data from the account and then proceeded to suspend the account."

PayPal spokesman Justin Higgs said the payments service canceled Gab's account, and had been in the process of ending its account before the shooting in Pittsburgh. "The company is diligent in performing reviews and taking account actions," said Higgs. "When a site is allowing the perpetuation of hate, violence or discriminatory intolerance, we take immediate and decisive action."

On Twitter, Gab said payment processing service Stripe and hosting provider Joyent were going to ban the service. Representatives from Joyent could not be immediately reached for comment. In a statement, Stripe said the company can’t comment on individual users for privacy reasons.

In a statement, Gab said the behavior from Bowers and other user isn't unique to its service. "Criminals and criminal behavior exist on every social media platform."</s>(Reuters) - Alleged Pittsburgh synagogue shooter Robert Bowers used the web site Gab.com to express anti-Semitic views. Here is some information about the site, which said it suspended his account and contacted the authorities after the arrest.

** Gab launched in 2016 as a "free-speech" alternative to Twitter. Its founder, Andrew Torba, said existing sites like Twitter and Facebook have a left-leaning monopoly on social media. It allows users to read and write unfiltered messages of up to 300 characters, called "gabs"

** The home page describes the platform as "a social network that champions free speech, individual liberty and the free flow of information online. All are welcome."

** Gab is a popular gathering place for alt-right activists and white nationalists whose views are unwelcome or banned on other social media platforms. Early members included the right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos and Andrew Anglin, the founder of the neo-Nazi Daily Stormer website. Other well known users have included controversial media personalities Alex Jones and Carl Benjamin.

** PayPal advised Gab on Saturday that it was banned from using the company's money sending services.

** Apple blocked the app from its App store in 2016, citing pornographic content, and later, hate speech. Google blocked the app from its Google Play store for hate speech, which brought a law suit from Gab that was eventually dropped.

** The company defended itself from criticism on Saturday, saying "We refuse to be defined by the media’s narratives about Gab and our community. Gab’s mission is very simple: to defend free expression and individual liberty online for all people. Social media often brings out the best and the worst of humanity."</s>On Saturday, a Pennsylvania man was accused of killing 11 people during a shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, in what is being considered the worst attack on worshipping Jewish people in American history.

Prior to the attack, the alleged gunman posted a message on Gab, a fringe social media network launched in 2016. His use of Gab has thrust the service into the spotlight.

Here's what you need to know about Gab:

How did it start?

Gab launched in 2016 as an alternative to traditional platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. During that time, Twitter had suspended several accounts associated with the "alt-right" movement on the same day it vowed a crackdown on hate speech.

The suspensions pushed many people to Gab, which has fewer restrictions on what content users can post compared to Twitter and other social media.

"Gab’s mission is to put people and free speech first," reads an excerpt from the service's guidelines. "We believe that the only valid form of censorship is an individual’s own choice to opt-out."

The relaxed rules opened the door for content such as anti-Semitic posts and conspiracy theories. In August, according to The Verge, Microsoft threatened to stop hosting the social network over a pair of anti-Semitic posts, which were eventually removed.

However, Gab's rules say it prohibits activities such as posting illegal pornography, engaging in any illegal activity using Gab, or "calling for the acts of violence against others, promoting or engaging in self-harm, and/or acts of cruelty, threatening language or behavior that clearly, directly and incontrovertibly infringes on the safety of another user or individual(s)."

How is the shooter in Pittsburgh connected?

Prior to entering the synagogue, an account appearing to belong to accused gunman Robert Bowers, 46, posted a message on Gab: "I can't sit by an watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics. I'm going in."

His profile also featured multiple anti-Semitic comments and conspiracy theories, including one referenced in his last post claiming the organization HIAS, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, was bringing "invaders in to kill our people."

More: Who is Robert Bowers? Accused Pittsburgh synagogue shooter left anti-semitic trail

In a statement, Gab said it was "saddened and disgusted" by the Pittsburgh attack. "Gab took swift and proactive action to contact law enforcement immediately," said the service in a statement. "We first backed up all user data from the account and then proceeded to suspend the account."

PayPal spokesman Justin Higgs said the payments service canceled Gab's account, and had been in the process of ending its account before the shooting in Pittsburgh. "The company is diligent in performing reviews and taking account actions," said Higgs. "When a site is allowing the perpetuation of hate, violence or discriminatory intolerance, we take immediate and decisive action."

On Twitter, Gab said payment processing service Stripe and hosting provider Joyent were going to ban the service. Representatives from Joyent could not be immediately reached for comment. In a statement, Stripe said the company can’t comment on individual users for privacy reasons.

In a statement, Gab said the behavior from Bowers and other user isn't unique to its service. "Criminals and criminal behavior exist on every social media platform."</s>On Saturday, a Pennsylvania man was accused of killing 11 people during a shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, in what is being considered the worst attack on worshipping Jewish people in American history.

Prior to the attack, the alleged gunman posted a message on Gab, a fringe social media network launched in 2016. His use of Gab has thrust the service into the spotlight.

Here's what you need to know about Gab:

How did it start?

Gab launched in 2016 as an alternative to traditional platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. During that time, Twitter had suspended several accounts associated with the "alt-right" movement on the same day it vowed a crackdown on hate speech.

The suspensions pushed many people to Gab, which has fewer restrictions on what content users can post compared to Twitter and other social media.

"Gab’s mission is to put people and free speech first," reads an excerpt from the service's guidelines. "We believe that the only valid form of censorship is an individual’s own choice to opt-out."

The relaxed rules opened the door for content such as anti-Semitic posts and conspiracy theories. In August, according to The Verge, Microsoft threatened to stop hosting the social network over a pair of anti-Semitic posts, which were eventually removed.

However, Gab's rules say it prohibits activities such as posting illegal pornography, engaging in any illegal activity using Gab, or "calling for the acts of violence against others, promoting or engaging in self-harm, and/or acts of cruelty, threatening language or behavior that clearly, directly and incontrovertibly infringes on the safety of another user or individual(s)."

How is the shooter in Pittsburgh connected?

Prior to entering the synagogue, an account appearing to belong to accused gunman Robert Bowers, 46, posted a message on Gab: "I can't sit by an watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics. I'm going in."

His profile also featured multiple anti-Semitic comments and conspiracy theories, including one referenced in his last post claiming the organization HIAS, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, was bringing "invaders in to kill our people."

More: Who is Robert Bowers? Accused Pittsburgh synagogue shooter left anti-semitic trail

In a statement, Gab said it was "saddened and disgusted" by the Pittsburgh attack. "Gab took swift and proactive action to contact law enforcement immediately," said the service in a statement. "We first backed up all user data from the account and then proceeded to suspend the account."

PayPal spokesman Justin Higgs said the payments service canceled Gab's account, and had been in the process of ending its account before the shooting in Pittsburgh. "The company is diligent in performing reviews and taking account actions," said Higgs. "When a site is allowing the perpetuation of hate, violence or discriminatory intolerance, we take immediate and decisive action."

On Twitter, Gab said payment processing service Stripe and hosting provider Joyent were going to ban the service. Representatives from Joyent could not be immediately reached for comment. In a statement, Stripe said the company can’t comment on individual users for privacy reasons.

In a statement, Gab said the behavior from Bowers and other user isn't unique to its service. "Criminals and criminal behavior exist on every social media platform."</s>(Reuters) - Alleged Pittsburgh synagogue shooter Robert Bowers used the web site Gab.com to express anti-Semitic views. Here is some information about the site, which said it suspended his account and contacted the authorities after the arrest.

** Gab launched in 2016 as a “free-speech” alternative to Twitter. Its founder, Andrew Torba, said existing sites like Twitter and Facebook have a left-leaning monopoly on social media. It allows users to read and write unfiltered messages of up to 300 characters, called “gabs”

** The home page describes the platform as “a social network that champions free speech, individual liberty and the free flow of information online. All are welcome.”

** Gab is a popular gathering place for alt-right activists and white nationalists whose views are unwelcome or banned on other social media platforms. Early members included the right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos and Andrew Anglin, the founder of the neo-Nazi Daily Stormer website. Other well known users have included controversial media personalities Alex Jones and Carl Benjamin.

** PayPal advised Gab on Saturday that it was banned from using the company’s money sending services.

** Apple blocked the app from its App store in 2016, citing pornographic content, and later, hate speech. Google blocked the app from its Google Play store for hate speech, which brought a law suit from Gab that was eventually dropped.

** The company defended itself from criticism on Saturday, saying “We refuse to be defined by the media’s narratives about Gab and our community. Gab’s mission is very simple: to defend free expression and individual liberty online for all people. Social media often brings out the best and the worst of humanity.”
American online payments system company PayPal bans American social media site Gab, known for its association with the alt-right movement, while Joyent, Gab's American hosting provider, states that they will terminate their service tomorrow. The move comes after it was revealed that the suspect in yesterday's 11 deaths, Robert Bowers, was an active member on the social network.