8chan Founder Faces Arrest In Philippines Over "Cyberlibel" Suit

The founder of 8chan, Frederick Brennan, faces arrest in the Philippines over a "cyberlibel" case lodged by the site's current owner. Brennan, who resides in the Philippines but is in the United States, gave up control of 8chan in 2015 to Jim Watkins and has since disavowed the site, calling for its shuttering.

Issued Thursday, the charges stem from a lawsuit by Watkins over tweets by Brennan, according to The Rappler. In a series of posts, last year Brennan called the site's current owner "senile" and "incompetent." "Cyberlibel" is a criminal offense in the Philippines. If convicted, Brennan faces six to 12 years in prison.

In a 2019 tweet, Brennan wrote, "Jim Watkins wasn't aware. Instead of calmly asking them to leave, he freaked out. This is one of the reasons I believe he's senile. Elle told me he gave her producer a bruise."

Earlier that year, he wrote, "If you see conspiracies everywhere then I suppose there's something else to this. Jim Watkins can't just be incompetent, can he?"

Regarding this, I can reveal what I know now that the piece has aired.

A maid let @elspethreeve in. Jim Watkins wasn't aware. Instead of calmly asking them to leave, he freaked out. This is one of the reasons I believe he's senile. Elle told me he gave her producer a bruise. pic.twitter.com/nloPdyeIXL

— Fredrick Brennan 🔣🇵🇭✝ (@HW_BEAT_THAT) September 5, 2019

Those sites make an effort and are not run by hyper-partisans. They also have clear rules against inciting violence, something 8chan doesn't have.

If you see conspiracies everywhere then I suppose there's something else to this. Jim Watkins can't just be incompetent, can he?

— Fredrick Brennan 🔣🇵🇭✝ (@HW_BEAT_THAT) August 12, 2019

In the complaint, Watkins defended the site. He said:

The exercise of the right of free expression and free speech like any other right enshrined in our Constitution comes with an equal burden of responsible exercise of that right. After all, the recognition of a right is not a free license for the one claiming it to run roughshod over the rights of others.

In an email correspondence with Know Your Meme, Brennan claimed he was inspired to create 8chan while under the effects of psychedelic mushrooms, envisioning the site as a haven for those that felt the moderation policies on 4chan were too restrictive.

Brennan has since disavowed the site, becoming particularly outspoken following a series of violent mass-shootings connected to the site. Last year, he told the New York Times that he's attempted to have Watkins shut 8chan down.

"I’ve tried to understand so many times why he keeps it going, and I just don’t get it," he said. "After Christchurch, after the Tree of Life shooting, and now after this shooting, they think this is all really funny."