Premium: Liz Fong-Jones And Kiwi Farms Keep Fighting (The Parable Of Mailfrawd)
Jan 1, 2025
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Dive into the intense clash between Liz Fong-Jones and the notorious Kiwi Farms. Explore the ethical dilemmas of doxing and online harassment, especially targeting marginalized groups. Unpack a web of legal controversies, fund misappropriation, and the challenges of managing public figures in the crosshairs of online cruelty. Discover the intricacies of communication failures and personal trauma, including a bizarre incident involving a fear of dogs that spirals into misunderstandings. It's a riveting look at the darker side of the online world!
Liz Fong-Jones' fight against Kiwi Farms exemplifies the severe threats posed by doxing and online harassment in today's digital landscape.
The episode critiques the harmful culture of targeted online ridicule on forums like Kiwi Farms, raising concerns about its impact on marginalized communities.
Deep dives
Liz Fong Jones and Kiwi Farms Conflict
Liz Fong Jones has been a central figure in the ongoing conflict with the controversial website Kiwi Farms, known for targeting individuals online. The site gained attention after failed attempts by various activists, including a Twitch streamer named Keffels, to shut it down due to its harmful practices, such as doxing and harassment. Despite being labeled a 'lolcow' by the forum, Fong Jones asserts that her involvement with the site stems primarily from her philanthropy toward a charity associated with trans issues, rather than any wrongdoing. Her legal team has issued statements to clarify her position, emphasizing their view of her as a victim of targeted online harassment rather than a conspirator with those accused of misappropriating funds from the charity.
Doxxing and Privacy Violations
The podcast reveals the troubling nature of doxxing as experienced by Fong Jones, who had her personal information shared publicly on Kiwi Farms. Initially, the website showed little interest in her; however, this changed when she requested that they remove her information, thereby bringing more scrutiny to her case. The doxxing incident highlights the broader issue of privacy violations in online spaces, particularly for individuals in the public eye. The reaction from Kiwi Farms only intensified after her attempt to legally safeguard her information, elevating her profile within the community and resulting in further aggressive scrutiny.
The Broader Context of Online Harassment
The episode discusses the ethos of Kiwi Farms and its tendency to fixate on certain individuals, particularly those it identifies as left-leaning or members of the LGBTQ+ community. This focus raises concerns about the implications of targeted online harassment and the potential for creating a toxic environment where individuals are relentlessly mocked or threatened. Critics argue that the unique branding of 'lolcow' exemplifies a troubling culture that thrives on cruelty and dehumanization. The conversation dives into whether other public figures, regardless of their political background, receive similar treatment on the site, illustrating a potentially biased approach to online harassment.
On the first Primo episode of the year, Jesse and Katie discuss the technologist Liz Fong-Jones and her battle against Kiwi Farms. Plus, a consent accident, a very online defamation suit, and an unsolicited email from an old friend.