Rumble, a video-sharing platform used by Russell Brand, has accused a parliamentary committee of “deeply inappropriate” behaviour after it asked whether the site would suspend payments to the comedian.
Caroline Dinenage, the Conservative chair of the culture, media and sport committee, wrote this week to Rumble’s chief executive, Chris Pavlovski, to express concern that Brand “may be able to profit from his content on the platform”.
Rumble posted its response on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, claiming that it was “deeply inappropriate and dangerous” of parliament to “attempt to control who is allowed to speak on our platform or to earn a living from doing so”.
Rumble's response to the UK Parliament's letter to our CEO @chrispavlovski pic.twitter.com/iSCpHIHoU4
— Rumble - 🏴☠️ $RUM (@rumblevideo) September 20, 2023
Dinenage wrote to Rumble, which describes itself as “immune to cancel culture”, after YouTube announced on Tuesday that Brand would no longer receive advertising revenues from his videos.
The 48-year-old comedian and actor has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013. He denies the allegations, saying all his relationships were consensual.
Dinenage asked whether Brand was able to make money from his videos on Rumble, including his denials of accusations against him, and if so, whether the platform would follow YouTube’s lead.
“We would like to know whether Rumble intends to join YouTube in suspending Mr Brand’s ability to earn money on the platform,” Dinenage wrote. The MP also asked what Rumble was doing to ensure that content creators did not use the platform to undermine the welfare of victims of “inappropriate and potentially illegal behaviour”.
In a public statement posted on X, Rumble called the letter “disturbing” and said parliament’s demands were “deeply inappropriate and dangerous”. The platform added that it was devoted to an internet “where no one arbitrarily dictates which ideas can or cannot be heard, or which citizens may or may not be entitled to a platform”.
Rumble said: “Singling out an individual and demanding his ban is even more disturbing given the absence of any connection between the allegations and his content on Rumble.”
Rumble pushed back against YouTube’s decision to demonetise Brand’s content, saying that Rumble had “different values” to YouTube and was devoted to defending a “free internet”.
It added: “Although it may be politically and socially easier for Rumble to join a cancel culture mob, doing so would be a violation of our company’s values and mission.”
The platform says it opposes censorship and describes itself as one of the only “neutral” and “independent” platforms. While it is much smaller than platforms such as YouTube or Instagram, it has become popular among “alt-right” groups who fear being punished on other platforms for controversial opinions.
Brand regularly posts content on Rumble ranging from conspiracy theories to critiques of mainstream media.
