BitChute (a portmanteau of "bit", a unit of information in computing, and "parachute"[1]) is an alt-tech video hosting service launched by Ray Vahey in January 2017.[2] It describes itself as offering freedom of expression,[3][4] while the service is known for accommodating far-right individuals and conspiracy theorists, and for hosting hate speech.[a]
Some creators who use BitChute have been banned from YouTube; some others crosspost content to both platforms or post more extreme content only to BitChute.[5][16] Before its deprecation, BitChute claimed to use peer-to-peer WebTorrent technology for video distribution,[2] though this was disputed.[17][18]
Some creators who have been banned from YouTube or had their channels demonetised subsequently migrated to BitChute.[5] The far-right conspiracy theory channel InfoWars migrated to BitChute after being banned by YouTube in 2018.[3] Other creators maintain a presence on YouTube and on BitChute, and some post more extreme content on BitChute while using YouTube for less extreme material.[16] Prominent far-right and alt-right video creators who have cross-posted to both YouTube and BitChute include Lauren Southern, Stefan Molyneux, Millennial Woes, and Paul Joseph Watson.[5][6][21]
The platform also hosts misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] The conspiracy theory video Plandemic has been viewed on BitChute millions of times after having been removed from other platforms for spreading medically harmful misinformation.[31][32][14]