LiveLeak, a British video-sharing platform headquartered in London, made its debut in 2006, showcasing content spanning war, politics, and other genres to champion citizen journalism. However, its 15-year run came to a close on May 5, 2021. This article delves into the top 5 alternatives to LiveLeak, exploring their respective merits and drawbacks.
Understanding LiveLeak and Its History
LiveLeak gained prominence following the release of a video depicting Saddam Hussein’s execution, earning recognition from Tony Snow, the White House Press Secretary, as a platform for insights into active American soldiers.
In 2007, LiveLeak faced criticism when the BBC highlighted violence among children featured on such websites, prompting co-founder Hayden Hewitt to defend the platform’s decision not to remove the content, emphasizing its reflection of real-life events.
The platform further stirred controversy by hosting the anti-Quran film, Fitna, resulting in its removal due to personal threats against Hewitt. Although it was briefly reuploaded after ensuring safety, it was eventually taken down again, this time due to a copyright claim.
In 2014, LiveLeak faced scrutiny for hosting a video of James Foley’s beheading by Islamic State terrorists. While YouTube and Facebook swiftly removed such content, LiveLeak initially allowed it, leading to a change in policy by Hewitt to ban all beheading footage from Islamic states.
The eventual ban of LiveLeak in 2021 redirected its URL to itemfix.com, a platform prohibiting the upload of violent and gory content, effectively serving as a LiveLeak replacement.
Exploring LiveLeak Alternatives
In the aftermath of LiveLeak’s closure, users sought alternatives, leading to the identification of several platforms:
1. Engage Media
A non-profit platform prioritizing citizens’ digital rights, Engage Media facilitates video uploads and sharing. Its collaboration with Canadian TV has enhanced its popularity, and it supports streaming on various devices. However, the inability to download videos from the site is a notable limitation.
2. Xfinity Video
Offering news videos on entertainment, sports, and more, Xfinity Video, an alternative to LiveLeak, is part of the Xfinity service. While it provides a diverse range of licensed content and premium entertainment, its focus leans towards entertainment rather than citizen journalism.
3. DTube
Operating on the STEEM blockchain, DTube closely resembles YouTube, permitting adult content without restrictions. Users can vote for creators, who are rewarded in cryptocurrency. Despite its user-friendly interface, direct video downloads are not supported.
4. ItemFix
Following LiveLeak’s shutdown, the URL led to ItemFix, a platform allowing users to post and edit audio and video content, similar to LiveLeak. However, it differs in prohibiting violent and gory content uploads, demonstrating some limitations compared to its predecessor.
5. Ebaum’s World
Founded in 2001 and owned by Literally Media, Ebaum’s World offers diverse video content, including scary, funny, and viral clips. While it serves as a LiveLeak replacement, its interface is deemed somewhat outdated.
Conclusion
These LiveLeak alternatives present varied options for users seeking content akin to LiveLeak. However, caution is advised, and the use of a VPN is recommended while accessing these platforms due to potentially unsuitable content that may compromise data security and pose risks.