Philip DeFranco Added to Mysterious Crowdsourced Database

Update: In an email correspondence with Know Your Meme, Nasheed wrote that he did not personally add DeFranco to the database, speculating that it was actually the work of "racist trolls." Additionally, Nasheed revealed that the site was only up for 45 minutes before it was compromised by hackers and that he is unsure if and when the database will relaunch.

Philip DeFranco, the popular internet news vlogger who has been embroiled in several bouts of YouTube drama and controversies this year, is in another heated battle after being listed on the Suspected Words Database, a mysterious crowdsourced project launched by former pick-up artist-turned-activist Tariq Nasheed.

Last night, DeFranco shared a screenshot of Nasheed's tweet urging his followers to register on his newly launched database, along with a screenshot of DeFranco listed as a “suspect” for “trolling." DeFranco's post quickly made the rounds on Twitter, with many readers questioning the purpose of the site and its criteria for inclusion in the database.

While the database has since been taken down and replaced with the message “be right back,” its homepage initially featured a disclaimer explaining that its purpose was to “analyze the words and free speech of people who’s [sic] intent could be considered ‘suspect.’” Perhaps driven by ambiguous word choices in the disclaimer, many who stumbled upon the site soon began speculating that its true mission is to defame certain public figures as bigots and white supremacists without any substantial evidence.

In response to DeFranco's tweet, Nasheed engaged other Twitter users who pointed out that the Suspected Words Database logo looks similar to a Nazi swastika, a claim he vehemently denied. Shortly after, Nasheed deleted his original tweet linking to the database.

For the record, this wasn’t the only time the two social media personalities butted heads. Just last month, Nasheed referred to DeFranco as a “suspected white supremacist” after the two sparred online over Nasheed’s characterization of Bill Cosby's rape trial as a “white supremacist’s witch hunt.” DeFranco responded to Nasheed’s commentary in a YouTube video, in which he laughed off his accusations and speculated that he was actually just a “top-tier troll.”

While it is currently unclear if and when Nasheed’s database will return, it seems like a safe bet this will not be his last controversy on social media.

• More Comments