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'{{Infobox Website | name = Voat Inc. | logo = [[File:voat-logo.png|frameless]] | url = {{url|https://voat.co}} (registered on November 17, 2014) <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metricsbot.com/www/voat.co|title=voat.co Domain Overview|accessdate=November 12, 2015}}</ref> | slogan = ''Have your say.'' | commercial = Yes | registration = Optional | language = English | programming_language = C# | alexa = {{IncreaseNegative}} 11,164 ({{as of|2015|11|07|alt=December 2015}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/voat.co|title=voat.co Site Overview|work=[[Alexa Internet]]|accessdate=December 03, 2015}}</ref> | current status = Online }} '''Voat Inc''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|v|oʊ|t}} is an [[United States|American]] [[news aggregator]] and [[social networking service]] where registered community members can submit content such as text posts and direct links. Registered users can then vote for or against these submissions. Voting is commonly called "voating" by users. Content entries are organized by areas of interest called "subverses." ==Site== Voat is "aesthetically and functionally similar to [[Reddit]]".<ref name=Wired1>{{cite news|last1=Kamen|first1=Matt|title=Reddit in revolt over anti-harrassment policy enforcement|url=http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-06/11/reddit-revolt|accessdate=June 12, 2015|website=[[Wired UK]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|date=June 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/voat-vs-reddit-2015-7 |title=This website has a great chance at stealing Reddit's massive online community |last=Smith |first=Dave |publisher=[[Business Insider]] |date=July 9, 2015 |accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref><ref name=Time>{{cite web| url=http://time.com/3964833/reddit-voat/ |title=Some Reddit Users Are Flocking to This New Site |last1=Pullen |first1=John Patrick |date=July 21, 2015}}</ref> The website is a collection of entries submitted by its registered users to themed categories called subverses, in what is essentially a [[bulletin board system]]. However, the two websites do have differences.<ref name=Verge>{{cite web|url=http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/10/8924415/voat-reddit-competitor-free-speech|title=Welcome to Voat: Reddit killer, troll haven, and the strange face of internet free speech|last=Robertson|first=Adi|website=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=July 10, 2015|accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref> Voat is written in the [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]] [[programming language]], while Reddit is written in [[Python (programming language)|Python]].<ref name=Wired2>{{cite web| url=http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-06/22/reddit-rival-voatco-killed-by-hosting-company |title=Reddit rival Voat.co killed by hosting company |last=Kamen |first=Matt |website=[[Wired UK]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=June 22, 2015 |accessdate=July 8, 2015}}</ref><ref name=VoatAbout>{{cite web|url=https://voat.co/about|title=About Voat - Who's the team behind this|accessdate=February 26, 2015|website=Voat}}</ref> Another difference between the two sites is a limit on how many subverses a single user may moderate. Reddit, while limiting possible "default subreddits" may be moderated to four, there is no limit on non-default subreddits.<ref>{{Cite web|title = moderation - reddit.com|url = https://www.reddit.com/wiki/moderation#wiki_how_many_subreddits_can_a_single_user_moderate_and_how_many_moderators_can_a_single_subreddit_have.3F|website = www.reddit.com|accessdate = 2015-11-17}}</ref> Voat, however, limits the number of subverses a single user can moderate to 10.<ref>{{Cite web|title = New limit implemented to prevent subverse squatting {{!}} voatdev|url = https://voat.co/v/voatdev/comments/18314|website = Voat - Solidarité|accessdate = 2015-11-17}}</ref> Another moderation difference is the distinction between levels of moderators. A user can be "L1", who is the "owner" of the subverse and has more power than the lower, "L2" moderators. The option to have "L3" moderators also exists, though current site programming makes no distinction between L2 and L3. Voat also has a night-mode, which swaps its standard white design for a darker one; is mobile-friendly; limits users' voting powers until they accrue a certain amount of "upvoats"; has user profiles, which display user statistics; disallows blatant advertising; and provides real-time notifications and inline images and videos.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://voat.co/v/announcements/comments/28550 |title=Is WhoaVerse just a reddit clone?}}</ref> The name "Voat" is a play on the verb [[vote]].<ref name=VoatAbout/> The site's mascot is a goat.<ref name=MW>{{cite web| url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/voat-creator-speaks-on-reddit-refugees-plans-for-future-2015-07-10| title= Creator of surging Reddit rival Voat: We will avoid same mistakes |last=Poletti |first=Therese |website=[[MarketWatch]] |publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]] |date=July 10, 2015 |accessdate=July 11, 2015}}</ref> The website uses the Colombian top level domain [[.co]] which was registered in November 2014.<ref name=MetricsBot>{{cite web| url=https://www.metricsbot.com/www/voat.co |title=Voat.co Domain Metrics}}</ref> ==History== Founded in April 2014 as WhoaVerse, the website was initially a hobby project by a BSc student, Atif Colo (known on Voat as [https://voat.co/user/Atko @Atko]), who was later joined by Justin Chastain (known as [https://voat.co/user/PuttItOut @PuttItOut]).<ref name=IBT>{{cite web| url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/what-voat-anti-censorship-alternative-reddit-that-trolls-have-flocked-1510615 |title=What is Voat, the anti-censorship alternative to Reddit that trolls have flocked to? |last=Russon |first=Mary-Ann |date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = WhoaVerse is changing name {{!}} announcements|url = https://voat.co/v/announcements/comments/38163|website = Voat - Solidarité|accessdate = 2015-11-17}}</ref> The website has been labelled as an alternative to Reddit with a focus on [[Freedom of speech|freedom of expression]].<ref name=Time/><ref name=MW/><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.iltasanomat.fi/digi/art-1433991667979.html |title=Kiusaamiseen puuttuminen aiheutti massapaon palvelusta – ja kaatoi toisen |last1=Berschewsky |first1=Tapio |work=[[Ilta-Sanomat]] |language=Finnish |date=June 11, 2015 |accessdate=July 9, 2015}}</ref> In December 2014, WhoaVerse changed its name to Voat for ease of use.<ref name="NameChange">{{cite web|title=WhoaVerse is changing name|url=https://voat.co/v/announcements/comments/38163|website=Voat}}</ref> In February, 2015, following accusations of censorship on Reddit, a surge of Reddit users created accounts on Voat.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 'Reddit exodus' is a perfect illustration of the state of free speech on the Web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2015/02/18/the-reddit-exodus-is-a-perfect-illustration-of-the-state-of-free-speech-on-the-web/|last=Dewey|first=Caitlyn|website=Washington Post|date=February 18, 2015|accessdate=July 11, 2015}}</ref> In early June, 2015, after Reddit banned five of its subreddits (r/FatPeopleHate, r/hamplanethatred, r/transfags, r/neofag, and r/shitniggerssay) for harassment—the largest of which (r/FatPeopleHate) had around 150,000 subscribers<ref>{{cite news|last=Kamen|first=Matt|title=Reddit in revolt over anti-harrassment policy enforcement|url=http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-06/11/reddit-revolt|accessdate=12 June 2015|work=[[Wired UK]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|date=June 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last= Woollacott|first=Emma|title=Users Flock To Voat As Reddit Shuts Harassing Groups|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2015/06/11/users-flock-to-voat-as-reddit-shuts-harassing-groups/|accessdate=June 17, 2015|work=[[Forbes]]|date=June 11, 2015}}</ref>—many users of Reddit began to create accounts on Voat.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/15/reddit-users-flee-to-voat-after-harassment-clampdown |title= Reddit users flee to Swiss copy Voat after harassment clampdown |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=June 15, 2015 |accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> The influx of new participants temporarily overloaded the site, causing downtime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://motherboard.vice.com/read/paypal-cuts-off-reddit-clone-voat-over-obscenity |title=PayPal Cuts Off Reddit Clone Voat Over 'Obscenity' |last=Pick |first=Rachel |date=June 23, 2015 |accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/what-voat-reddit-fatpeoplehate-ban-has-users-migrate-unmoderated-space-complain-1962730 |title=What Is Voat? Reddit FatPeopleHate Ban Has Users Migrate To Unmoderated Space, Complain On Twitter |first=Barbara |last=Herman |work=[[International Business Times]] |publisher=[[IBT Media]] |date=June 11, 2015 |accessdate=June 12, 2015}}</ref> During this time, Voat had both its [[web hosting]] and [[PayPal]] accounts closed without warning.<ref name="IBT" /><ref>{{cite news|title=This is what happens when you create an online community without any rules, part 2|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2015/06/23/this-is-what-happens-when-you-create-an-online-community-without-any-rules-part-2/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 23, 2015|access-date=July 4, 2015|issn=0190-8286|first=Caitlin|last=Dewey}}</ref><ref name="TT">{{cite web |url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/62530/20150623/web-host-shuts-down-reddit-clone-voat-for-politically-incorrect-content.htm| title=Web Host Shuts Down Reddit Clone Voat For Politically Incorrect Content |last1=Macadangdang |first1=Rex |date=June 23, 2015 |accessdate=July 8, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Guard">{{cite web| url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/22/reddit-clone-voat-dropped-by-web-host |title= Reddit clone Voat dropped by web host for "political incorrect" content |last1=Hern |first1=Alex |date=June 22, 2015 |accessdate=July 8, 2015}}</ref> Its German web host cited "[[Political correctness|politically incorrect]]" content on the site<ref name="TT" /><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2015/07/13/des-utilisateurs-de-reddit-en-colere-s-exilent-sur-voat-un-concurrent-incongru_4681744_4408996.html |title=Des utilisateurs de Reddit en colère s’exilent sur Voat, un concurrent incongru En savoir plus sur |last=Reynaud |first=Florian |date=July 13, 2015 |accessdate=July 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/voat-reddit-clones-site-shut-down-for-hosting-politically-incorrect-content-10336536.html |title=Voat: Reddit clone's site shut down for hosting 'politically incorrect' content |last=Griffin |first=Andrew |date=June 22, 2015 |accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> and distrust of Voat as the cause;<ref name="Wired2" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://venturebeat.com/2015/06/19/swiss-reddit-clone-voat-has-its-servers-closed-by-hosting-provider-due-to-politically-incorrect-content/| title=Amid censorship brouhaha, Reddit clone Voat has its servers closed by hosting provider}}</ref> Publications noted that Germany has strict rules for hosting services.<ref name="Wired2" /><ref>{{cite web| url=http://mashable.com/2015/06/19/reddit-clone-voat-booted-german-webhost/ |title=Reddit-clone Voat booted by its German webhost |last=Warren |first=Christina |date=June 20, 2015 |accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> The website continued to accept donations in [[Bitcoin]],<ref name="MW" /> and was able to continue functioning, as it had moved to cloud hosting.<ref name="Voat2">{{cite web| url=https://voat.co/v/announcements/comments/146757 |title= Our provider, hosteurope.de shut down our servers due to "political incorrectness" |date=June 20, 2015 |accessdate=July 9, 2015}}</ref> The website continued to experience downtime due to an ongoing distributed denial of service ([[Denial-of-service attack|DDOS]]) attack, rendering the 700,000 unique visitors unable to access the site.<ref name=Verge/> In early July 2015, following the dismissal of a popular administrator on Reddit, another influx of Reddit members registered with Voat,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/reddits-ama-subreddit-down-after-victoria-taylor-depature-2015-7|title=Reddit's popular 'ask me anything' feature is down after a key employee is gone|date=July 2, 2015|accessdate=July 4, 2015|website=Business Insider|last=Carson|first=Biz}}</ref> leading to traffic which again caused Voat to experience downtime.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-33447512 |title=Reddit rival Voat buckles under demand |last1=Kelion |first1=Leo |date=July 8, 2015 |publisher = BBC |accessdate=July 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://cointelegraph.com/news/114737/will-bitcoin-friendly-voatco-replace-reddit |title=Will Bitcoin-Friendly Voat.co Replace Reddit? |last1=Dib |first1=Walid |date=July 3, 2015 |website=The CoinTelegraph |publisher=CoinTelegraph |accessdate=July 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://news.yahoo.com/reddit-blackout-users-revolt-second-time-summer-181711026.html|title=With Reddit blackout, users revolt for second time this summer | last1=Truong |first1=Kevin |date=July 6, 2015 |accessdate=July 8, 2015}}</ref> The developers of the website were subsequently approached by venture capitalists interested in investing in the project.<ref name=MW/> Also in July, Voat, alongside [[Wikileaks]], was subject to a Bitcoin "dust" attack and more DDoS attacks. The Bitcoin attack slowed payment processing to the websites.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://motherboard.vice.com/read/wikileaks-is-now-a-target-in-the-massive-spam-attack-on-bitcoin |title=WikiLeaks Is Now a Target In the Massive Spam Attack on Bitcoin |last1=Pearson |first1=Jordan |date=July 9, 2015 |accessdate=July 10, 2015}}</ref> The DDoS attack, launched July 12, was unsuccessful due to [[Cloudflare]] services, although it had the side effect of rendering third-party Voat apps incapable of functioning.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://fortune.com/2015/07/13/new-reddit-rival-voat-hit-by-ddos-attack/ |title=New Reddit rival Voat hit by DDoS attack |last=Roberts |first=Jeff John |date=July 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dailydot.com/politics/voat-ddos-attack/ |title=Reddit rival Voat hit with DDoS attacks |last=Khan |first=Imad |date=July 13, 2015 |accessdate=July 21, 2015}}</ref> In August 2015, Voat became [[Incorporation (business)|incorporated]] in the United States. Co-founder Atif Colo explained in a post announcing the incorporation that this was because "U.S. law by far beats every other candidate country we’ve researched."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2015/08/06/contrary-to-the-internet-crybabies-online-speech-in-the-u-s-is-really-free-actually/|title=Contrary to the Internet crybabies, online speech in the U.S. is really free, actually|last=Dewey|first=Caitlyn|work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=August 6, 2015|accessdate=August 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Voat, the student side-project is now Voat, Inc.! {{!}} announcements|url = https://voat.co/v/announcements/comments/371799|website = Voat - Solidarité|accessdate = 2015-11-17}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== * {{Official website|https://voat.co}} {{YC companies|state=collapsed}} [[Category:Internet properties established in 2014]] [[Category:News aggregators]] [[Category:American news websites]] [[Category:Political websites]] [[Category:Social bookmarking]] [[Category:Virtual communities]] [[Category:Y Combinator companies]] [[Category:2014 establishments in the United States]]'