Freedom of speech is a highly valued commodity, but should people be allowed to say whatever they like, no matter how offensive their opinions? In this archive footage we hear where Pirate Bay founder Gottfrid Svartholm draws the line.
As well as being involved with The Pirate Bay, six years ago Gottfrid Svartholm was also an owner of PRQ, one of the most controversial webhosts in the world. PRQ was and still is a company that operates in a niche, playing host to sites and services that due to their nature are often rejected by other more sensitive companies.
PRQ has hosted a range of controversial sites, not least The Pirate Bay, Wikileaks, domains operated by far-right groups and those considered by some to be terrorist-affiliated. If it’s legal in Sweden, PRQ say they will host it – no questions asked.
However, in a 2007 video only recently translated into English by TPB:AFK creator Simon Klose, Gottfrid reveals that while he believes that everyone has a right to their opinions along with an open debate, certain things – even if made legal – would not be welcome at PRQ.
“To fight the phenomena you have to understand the phenomena,” the then 22-year-old explains.