We figured this out A LONG time ago. Right around the time that the whole "Voat has an Angel" post was stickied, all the PIA ads popped up. Those of us with more than two brain-cells to rub together already did the sleuthing and figured out the names of the guys who ran the holdings company that PIA was under. After looking in to them, the saner ones of us relaxed a bit because what we found was stable funding from a couple of decent dudes.
If that update about a merger and securing future funds is true, then yeah: Putt would have stopped signing in right around that time. Could be a coincidence; as we've also figured out that he's posting under alts now. The timing might have simply worked out to fan the rumour mills. ALL OF THAT BEING SAID: a few facts remain unchanged:
- The Canary is dead. Putt has confirmed this, which means that at best the server is passively being monitored through a backdoor and everyone is doxxed. At worst: the server was moved to room 641A and they're actively monitoring it.
- Putt has also personally confirmed fed intervention and investigation in to "problem users,"
- The site has been closed-off from public view for months.
These are the actions of someone who doesn't want a website to grow and, in fact, wants it to stay hidden. My gut is telling me that Voat ended up being that problem child whom nobody wants over for thanksgiving dinner, and now Putt is (maybe not-so) begrudgingly keeping his distance.
(post is archived)