A Troubling Stream of Events
DLive, a decentralized streaming platform bought by Justin Sun in late 2019, has found itself in hot water after being used by extremists to livestream their insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Just when you thought streaming platforms were just for gamers and cat videos, they’re apparently also the new podiums for chaos.
Fundraising Gone Awry
During the Capitol riots, several DLive accounts, including the provocative “Murder the Media,” raised funds while broadcasting their illegal activities. It’s ironic how a platform meant for creative expression becomes a cash cow for lawlessness. The Southern Poverty Law Center reports that these account holders have raked in “hundreds of thousands” in donations, primarily in cryptocurrency. That’s right, the digital currency once praised for its anonymity is now being used to fundirate mob mentality.
Spotlight on “Baked Alaska”
Among those involved was Tim Gionet, aka Baked Alaska, who boasts a strong social media following. Known for his polarizing views and previously booted from mainstream platforms like Twitter, Gionet livestreamed from inside the Capitol, even taking time to film a selfie in Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office. If that doesn’t spell ‘bad decision,’ I don’t know what does! Over 16,000 people tuned in, and he managed to pocket $222 from over 200 donations during the broadcast—all while breaking and entering on national television!
Cryptocurrency Takes a Cut
DLive takes a hefty 25% cut from all donations, with 20% of that being redistributed to other content creators. According to Hatewatch, this means the platform has dished out hundreds of thousands to extremists since its inception. It’s a shocking realization that your favorite online streamer might just be funding the next protest against democracy.
The Ripple Effect of Censorship
After the insurrection, DLive’s response was to remind users via social media that they don’t support illegal activities. Still, the damage was done. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter took stricter measures, with Facebook postponing President Trump’s account until further notice and Twitter enforcing a 24-hour ban. Because when online feeds are buzzing with riotous activity, it’s time to act like the internet police!
What Lies Ahead for DLive
In a twist of fate, Justin Sun announced in December 2020 that DLive would merge with BitTorrent, further intertwining decentralized streaming with cryptocurrency. This overhaul might lead to a platform trying to balance between free speech and responsible usage. One can only hope that the next big stream doesn’t involve creating chaos, but rather cooking lessons. Because let’s face it; the world could use more cooking and less clashing.
