Wimkin is an alt-tech social network that claims to promote free speech.[1][2] The site describes itself as "100% uncensored social media".[3] Wimkin was launched in August 2020 and was founded by Jason Sheppard.
As of January 2021, Wimkin had 300,000 users.[1]
Wimkin launched in August 2020 after being founded by Jason Sheppard.[1][4]
Google subsequently removed Wimkin from the Google Play Store, with a Google spokesperson saying of the ban that, "We don't allow apps that depict or facilitate gratuitous violence or other dangerous activities."[5][6] In response, Sheppard accused Google of treating Wimkin unfairly, stating in an email that, "We're being treated entirely unfairly and if we aren't reinstated when we've worked tirelessly to comply and become a better platform, we will be seeking legal remedy to at the very least, shed some light into this tyrannical monopoly."
In a message on Wimkin's website following the removals, the company said that "We are working on getting back in both Apple Store and Google Play."[7] Wimkin has since returned to both the App Store and Google Play.[8]
After Parler, another social network, was pulled offline by its host Amazon Web Services on January 11, former users of that site started migrating to Wimkin.[4] In the twelve days following the storming of the United States Capitol, Wimkin claimed that its userbase had grown by 20 percent, amounting to around 55,000 new users.[9]
While Wimkin has groups relating to mundane topics, such as pets and traveling, Wimkin also has groups relating to fringe content, such as the far-right conspiracy theory QAnon.[4] There were also posts and a group on Wimkin attempting to organize a "Million Militia March" for January 20, 2021 on Inauguration Day, but the posts and group were removed.[1][10]
In January 2021, David Eberti of The Wall Street Journal found posts on Wimkin comparing Democrats with Nazis and a meme saying "If you don't believe in violence, get ready to hide behind someone who does."[6]
In January 2021, Chris Tye from WBBM-TV described Wimkin as a platform "used by members of the so-called Trump celebrity class."[11] Also in January, Anthony Cuthbertson of The Independent called Wimkin "yet another social media app popular with far right users".[3]
According to SFGate, Wimkin functions like a combination of Twitter and Facebook, with users of the site being allowed to post to a wider audience, comment and like other posts, and join groups.[4]
