8kun Onion Links: 8kun is an imageboard and internet forum that promotes itself as a “free speech” platform, allowing users to post content with minimal moderation. Originally known as 8chan, it was rebranded as 8kun in 2019 after a series of controversies linked to violent content and mass shootings. While it remains a niche website, it has received global attention due to its links to far-right communities and conspiracy theories.
8Kun Onion Links and Alternative URL:
http://8kun.top.qulatc2tl34vwefcc2pbsxi7vennhbew57jbl2d3pbhvjhozkoizdoqd.onion
Introduction: What Is 8kun?
8kun is an imageboard and internet forum that promotes itself as a “free speech” platform, allowing users to post content with minimal moderation. Originally known as 8chan, it was rebranded as 8kun in 2019 after a series of controversies linked to violent content and mass shootings. While it remains a niche website, it has received global attention due to its links to far-right communities and conspiracy theories.
The Origins of 8kun (Formerly 8chan)
8kun was launched in October 2019 by Jim Watkins, following the deplatforming of 8chan. The original 8chan was founded in 2013 by Fredrick Brennan as a more open alternative to 4chan. However, as user-generated boards proliferated with little oversight, the platform became a haven for extremist views and content banned on mainstream sites.
In 2019, after it was linked to manifestos from mass shooters in Christchurch, El Paso, and Poway, 8chan was dropped by its hosting providers and removed from the clearnet. Watkins relaunched it under the new name 8kun, promising improvements in moderation while maintaining its core ethos of free expression.
How 8kun Works
Like its predecessor, 8kun is structured around user-created boards. Each board is moderated by volunteers and can focus on any topic, from politics and video games to niche hobbies. Registration is optional, and anonymity is a core feature, making it difficult to trace users or content originators.
This decentralized approach gives users considerable autonomy but has also allowed the spread of hate speech, doxxing, and conspiracy theories. Boards like /qresearch/—associated with the QAnon movement—have kept 8kun in the spotlight.
Controversies and Public Perception
8kun has been widely criticized by media outlets, governments, and civil society groups for its role in spreading extremist content. Critics argue that the site’s minimal moderation policies make it a magnet for harmful ideologies and illegal activity.
In response, defenders argue that 8kun represents a last bastion for free speech in an increasingly censored internet landscape. They contend that unpopular opinions should not be suppressed and that the solution lies in more speech, not less.
Cybersecurity and Legal Challenges
Due to its controversial content, 8kun faces constant cybersecurity threats. It has been the target of DDoS attacks, deplatforming efforts, and domain name seizures. To maintain uptime, the site has used services like the decentralized web, Tor, and Russian-based DDoS protection.
From a legal standpoint, 8kun has navigated the protections of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act in the U.S., which shields platforms from liability for user-generated content. However, ongoing debates around this law could impact the site’s future.
Conclusion: The Future of 8kun
Whether viewed as a free speech haven or a dangerous echo chamber, 8kun remains a focal point in the debate over online speech and platform responsibility. As governments and tech companies grapple with misinformation and extremism, platforms like 8kun raise critical questions about where to draw the line between freedom and harm.