American technology executive (born 1966/1967)
Rob Monster
Monster speaks about DigitalTown in 2017
Born 1966 or 1967 (age 56–57)[ 2] Nationality American, Dutch[ 3] Alma mater Cornell University (BS and MBA )[ 1] Known for Epik Spouse Jill Monster Children 5
Robert W. Monster (born 1966 or 1967) is a Dutch-American technology executive. He is the founder, former chief executive officer , and former chairman of Epik , a domain registrar and web host known for providing services to websites that host far-right , neo-Nazi , and extremist content .[ 2] [ 4] [ 5] [ 6] [ 7]
He has received media attention in relation to Epik, particularly surrounding his 2018 statements about Epik customer Gab ,[ 2] [ 8] a social network known for its far-right userbase.[ 9] He has also received attention for controversial statements, including some in which he has promoted various conspiracy theories .[ 10] [ 2] [ 11] [ 12]
Monster was removed as Epik CEO in September 2022,[ 13] after he co-mingled millions of dollars of money belonging to Epik customers into general company spending at Epik.[ 14] Monster was sued by Matthew Adkisson for misrepresentation, embezzlement and misappropriation, after he had $307,000 stolen by Rob Monster as part of the co-mingling process.[ 15] Many other customers are still owed money, including DomainEmpire, who are owed $1.5 million.[ 16]
^ a b "Management Team" . Epik . Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019 .
^ a b c d Schulberg, Jessica (December 12, 2018). "The Bible-Thumping Tech CEO Who's Proud Of Keeping Neo-Nazis Online" . HuffPost . Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2019 .
^ Monster, Rob (May 28, 2019). "What's going on with Epik and Rob Monster?" . Namepros . Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2021 .
^ Martineau, Paris (November 6, 2018). "How Right-Wing Social Media Site Gab Got Back Online" . Wired . ISSN 1059-1028 . Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2019 .
^ Makuch, Ben (May 8, 2019). "The Far Right Has Found a Web Host Savior" . Vice . Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019 .
^ Hayden, Michael Edison (January 11, 2019). "A Problem of Epik Proportions" . Southern Poverty Law Center . Archived from the original on January 12, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2019 .
^ Murphy, Kevin (February 1, 2024). "Monster and Royce are NOT involved in Epik?! - Domain Incite" . Domain Incite - Domain Name Industry News, Analysis & Opinion . Retrieved October 23, 2024 .
^ Baker, Mike (November 4, 2018). "Seattle-area company helps fringe site Gab return in wake of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting" . The Seattle Times . Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2019 .
^
Hess, Amanda (November 30, 2016). "The Far Right Has a New Digital Safe Space" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on December 3, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2016 .
Robertson, Adi (September 6, 2017). "Far-right friendly social network Gab is facing censorship controversy" . The Verge . Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 3, 2018 .
Selyukh, Alina (May 21, 2017). "Feeling Sidelined By Mainstream Social Media, Far-Right Users Jump To Gab" . All Things Considered . NPR . Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018 .
Hall, Sam (May 11, 2019). "Ukip candidates urge followers to switch to far-right social network Gab" . The Observer . Archived from the original on May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019 .
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^ "The Infrastructure of Hate: Epik Hosts Extremist Groups" . Anti-Defamation League . Archived from the original on September 5, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021 .
^ "Epik threatens to sue Rob Monster, publicly asks him to resign" . April 18, 2023.
^ "Rob Monster – The Epik CEO Who Stole Customer's Escrow Money…" . July 18, 2023.
^ "Problems Mount for Epik - Customer Suing for Return of $307,000 Paid for Undelivered Domain" . April 4, 2023.
^ "Epik continues to dig out from financial mess" . December 2, 2022.