Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dissenter?

Dissenter is an open source web browser built for The People, not advertisers. Dissenter organizes conversations around individual URL's and creates a public square on them where anyone can leave a comment. The Dissenter browser blocks ads and trackers by default, making your web browsing experience much faster than traditional web browsers. Dissenter also offers an extension for other browsers, just in case you're not ready to make the switch yet and want to test our global comment system on other browsers.

How does it work?

To get started download and install the Dissenter browser, create an account and login to Dissenter. Click the Dissenter logo in the top right hand corner of the browser to view and leave comments on any URL on the internet.

Why was Dissenter created?

Dissenter is designed to extend American civil liberties protections for political speech to every corner of the planet, and allows people to express themselves on any subject, at any time, on any url, in a manner which is or would be permissible under U.S. law. Ideally we can accomplish this goal and empower hundreds of millions if not billions of people around the world to say what they want to, when they want to, how they want to and keep the internet free and open.

Moralizing censors, whether they are in governments, media conglomerates, or in the upper echelons of Silicon Valley tech companies, have no business telling anyone what they can or cannot say. A free-to-use publishing platform that allows people to dissent from orthodoxy and express what they are really thinking, without fear of reprisal, is essential to the functioning of any free society.

Anything. Seriously. Try it on Wikipedia, news articles, blog posts, YouTube videos, Amazon products, and even individual tweets. If the site you are on is Not Safe For Work (NSFW) please be sure to check the NSFW box in the comment composer.

Does the browser extension track every URL I visit across the web?

The Dissenter browser extension and browser itself are both open source, meaning any developer can confirm how it works. We respect your privacy and value your trust. Our business model is also not built around the mass collection of user data like other services. Dissenter has a feature called Comment Badge, which will let you know if there are comments on the page you are currently visiting. Comment Badge does not track users and as a service, does not have access to the user account. Comment Badge is optional and can be turned on or off in the settings page of the extension. By default Comment Badge is off unless it is turned on.

Where a user's speech is legal under U.S. law, it is allowed on our site. Our rules protect the expression of any viewpoint that is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. They do not protect speech that is or would be illegal or actionable in the United States. Copyright infringement, illegal pornography, malicious defamation, spam, and true threats are not protected by US law and may be moderated or result in a ban. Borderline cases are reviewed by an independent attorney to ensure we are adhering to our First Amendment-based moderation principles. Moderated posts will transparently let users know that they have been removed for violating our Community Guidelines.

Dissenter is a comment publishing platform, so it's impossible to use the platform to cause physical harm to another person. If a user uses the platform for an illegal purpose, for example publishing a credible threat of violence, and we are made aware of it, we will take action and cooperate with law enforcement if necessary. Where a user publishes content constituting a civil wrong, such as copyright infringement or defamation, we may be served with a takedown notice or court order which would compel us to remove the content. We treat our users like adults and give them a lot of latitude. It is up to our users to not abuse that latitude and to stay within the confines of the law. You can read our full Community Guidelines here.

Who made Dissenter?

Dissenter was built by Gab.com, a free speech software company that powers the free speech social network Gab. Gab is funded and built by people just like you with a mission of defending free expression online for all people. Everyone is welcome on both Gab and Dissenter. The company and the products do not endorse or hold any political ideology. We are building technology products that preserve liberty and freedom online for all internet users around the world.