It is hard to imagine, but social media was once heralded as the saviour of global democracy. When the Arab Spring protests erupted across the Middle East in 2010, Twitter and Facebook helped nascent democratic movements to mobilise against authoritarian Governments. Technology was supposed to be the great liberator, ushering in a new age of plurality and free speech.
Fast-forward a decade and a bald man in designer sunglasses is puffing a cigar and ranting at a camera. “It’s bang out the machete, boom in her face and grip her by the neck. Shut up b****”, he barks, describing how he would attack a woman if she accused him of cheating. His name is Andrew Tate and the clip will go on to be watched by millions of young men, polluting the internet with violent misogyny.
