Pump.fun faces backlash over harmful content on livestream feature

Pump.fun, a decentralized platform for creating Solana-based memecoins, is under fire after users allegedly broadcasted harmful and violent acts through its livestream feature.

Pump.fun is a decentralized platform that allows users to create Solana-based memecoins. Users can also promote their tokens through the Pump.fun community features, such as livestreams. 

However, the platform has recently faced criticism from crypto community members calling for stricter moderation or the shutdown of the livestream feature.

Pump.fun livestreams getting “out of control”

On Nov. 25, X user Beau, a Pudgy Penguins safety project manager, flagged a user in a Pump.fun livestream that was threatening to commit suicide if their coin did not reach a specific market capitalization. 

Beau urged Pump.fun to intervene, disable the livestream and provide support to the individual. Beau also called on Pump.fun to shut down its livestream feature altogether, saying that it’s already “out of control.”

Other disturbing reports include users allegedly threatening violence. One community member flagged a person who was shot outside a window each time their coin went up. X users also reported a child threatening to kill family members if a token did not reach a price goal, while another flagged a person who claimed they would shoot up a school if their memecoin didn’t pump. 

Some community members labeled the platform’s livestream feature a “pipeline of felonies.” An X user implored Pump.fun to deactivate the feature until robust moderation tools are in place. “Turning on a camera to showcase your own depravity to the world isn’t noble or novel,” they said.

Related: Pump.fun teases future token and reveals new trading terminal

Pump.fun team “moderates” illicit content

Responding to the criticism, Alon, the pseudonymous leader of Pump.fun, acknowledged the community’s concerns, but defended the platform’s moderation efforts. 

Alon claimed that the Pump.fun team moderates images, videos, livestreams and comments on the Pump.fun website:

“We have a large team of moderators working around the clock and an internal team of engineers that’s working on helping us deal with increased scale of coins, streams, and comments.”

Alon claimed that moderation has been a priority since the platform’s inception and reassured users that the team is actively addressing illicit content.

While Pump.fun claims it is moderating harmful content, the community has called for more transparency and immediate measures to prevent harmful broadcasts. The platform has yet to address whether additional safeguards or changes to its livestream feature will be implemented.

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