Andy Montoya
Cheese pizza is a term that came to light during the 2016 US election cycle, when supporters of Donald Trump and other opponents of Hillary Clinton spread a conspiracy theory that a paedophile ring was being operated out of a Washington, D.C. pizza restaurant. The theory, known as Pizzagate, was based on the interpretation of c.p. or cheese pizza in Clinton's hacked emails as referring to child pornography. This interpretation was based on the supposed use of cheese pizza as a code word for child pornography in paedophile chatrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | In paedophile chatrooms, 'c.p' or 'cheese pizza' is sometimes used to denote explicit images of children |
| Relation to Clinton | The use of the word 'pizza' in Clinton's hacked emails led to conspiracy theories about a paedophile ring |
| Relation to QAnon | QAnon followers believe in a conspiracy theory about a paedophile ring involving Clinton |
| Relation to Reddit | Members of the Reddit community /r/The_Donald created the /r/pizzagate subreddit to further develop the conspiracy theory |
| Relation to Trump | Trump supporters and other Clinton opponents spread the conspiracy theory |
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What You'll Learn
4chan users and 'cheese pizza'
The phrase "cheese pizza" on 4chan is sometimes used to refer to child pornography. This usage has extended beyond 4chan and can be found on other sites and in news reports. For instance, the phrase was used in unsubstantiated claims during the 2016 US presidential election, when some 4chan users spotted the phrase "cheese pizza" in Hillary Clinton's hacked emails and took it to be a reference to child pornography, leading to the "Pizzagate" conspiracy theory.
Some 4chan users have been banned from the site for using the phrase "cheese pizza" in this way. However, it is unclear whether 4chan has taken steps to prevent its users from employing the phrase "cheese pizza" as an innocuous term for child pornography. One user, who was banned from 4chan for posting nudes, said that they did not miss the site because it was "just not what it used to be" and had "too many users." Another user, who was banned for posting gore and suicide instructions, said that they left 4chan of their "own volition" because the site had changed and "was a shell of what [they] had loved about it."
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'c.p' meaning 'cheese pizza'
The acronym "CP" is used to refer to "cheese pizza" in online communities such as 4chan and TikTok. While the term may seem innocuous, it has been reported by TikTok users to be used as code for child pornography. They advise that accounts with names like "cheese pizza" or bios containing phrases like "I love cheese pizza" are often associated with pedophilia and should be reported to the relevant authorities.
This usage of "cheese pizza" as code for child pornography may be related to the term "CP" being used to refer to "child porn" in other online contexts. This interpretation is supported by reports of users being banned from 4chan for posting nudes of their ex-partners who were over the age of 18. While the reason for the bans is unclear, some users speculate that their ex-partners saw the photos and reported them, leading to the moderation of their content.
The use of innocuous-seeming phrases like "cheese pizza" as code for disturbing content is a way for individuals with harmful interests to communicate and share content without raising suspicion. This tactic has been employed across various online platforms, including 4chan and TikTok, highlighting the need for vigilance and proactive reporting by users to help keep these platforms safe.
While the exact origin of the "cheese pizza" code is unclear, its usage appears to be a deliberate attempt to disguise the true nature of the content being discussed or shared. This practice is not unique to this specific code but is a common strategy employed by individuals seeking to engage in illegal or unethical activities online without detection.
The interpretation of "CP" as referring to "child porn" or "child pornography" is a disturbing revelation that underscores the importance of online safety and the need for proactive measures to protect users, especially minors, from harmful content. The fact that seemingly harmless phrases can be used as a cover for illicit activities underscores the challenges faced by online communities and the need for constant vigilance to ensure the safety and well-being of their members.
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'c.p' in paedophile chatrooms
The term "cheese pizza" on 4chan is often used as a code phrase for child pornography, with "CP" being shorthand for child porn. This is a disturbing trend that has been observed on various online platforms and chatrooms, where individuals use coded language and euphemisms to disguise their illicit activities and avoid detection.
In the context of paedophile chatrooms, "c.p." is used as a shorthand for child pornography, allowing individuals with a sexual interest in children to communicate and trade illegal content. These chatrooms provide a platform for offenders to connect, share explicit images and videos of children, and even plan the sexual abuse and exploitation of minors. The use of coded language, such as "c.p.," is a tactic employed by paedophiles to conceal their criminal activities and avoid raising suspicions.
The “Pedo Lives Matter” chatroom, for example, was a platform where members engaged in the distribution and receipt of child pornography. Oscar Barrios, a 35-year-old Spring resident, was sentenced to 144 months in prison for his involvement in this chatroom, highlighting the severe legal consequences for such actions.
It is important to recognize that the use of "c.p." in paedophile chatrooms is not limited to 4chan but is prevalent across various online platforms and messaging applications. Law enforcement agencies and researchers work tirelessly to infiltrate these chatrooms, track down offenders, and rescue victims. By posing as minors, they gain insight into the tactics used by paedophiles to lure and exploit children, helping to develop preventative measures and educational resources for both children and teachers.
The presence of "c.p." in paedophile chatrooms underscores the disturbing reality of online child sexual abuse and exploitation. It is a stark reminder of the need for vigilance, proactive measures, and continued efforts to eradicate such heinous activities from the digital sphere.
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4chan ban appeals
4chan is an anonymous imageboard website where most users do not have usernames and are tracked by their IP addresses. Getting banned from 4chan can be for a variety of reasons, including posting gore, posting suicide instructions, posting nudes, or ban evasion. Users who have been banned can appeal the decision, but 4chan is known for not taking appeals seriously and often takes a long time to respond.
If you have been banned from 4chan, you can try to appeal the ban by filling out an appeal form. However, it is important to note that 4chan may not take your appeal seriously and may not respond for a long time. In some cases, users have had their bans lifted, but this is not common. When filling out the appeal form, it is important to provide context for why you were banned and to be aware of what was posted that led to the ban. It is also important to note that if you are posting from a phone, you may not be able to change your IP address, which could make it difficult to get around a ban.
Some users have suggested that being too aware of what was posted can hurt your chances of a successful appeal, while others have suggested admitting to the violation and challenging the moderators. However, it is important to note that these are not guaranteed methods and that the decision to uphold or lift a ban is ultimately at the discretion of the 4chan moderators.
If you are unable to get your ban lifted, you may need to wait until the ban expires or move to a different website. Some alternative websites that have been mentioned by former 4chan users include Holla Forums, 76chan, 420chan, and krautchan. These websites may have different rules and communities than 4chan, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the culture of each site before posting.
It is worth noting that 4chan has been criticized for its moderation practices, with some users claiming that bans are handed out arbitrarily or for reasons that are not made clear to the user. This has led to frustration among some users who feel that they have been unfairly banned. However, others argue that the site could benefit from more frequent bans to improve the quality of the community.
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Conspiracy theories
The Pizzagate conspiracy theory emerged in 2016, with proponents claiming that John Podesta's personal emails, published by WikiLeaks, contained coded messages that connected several high-ranking Democratic Party officials and U.S. restaurants with an alleged human trafficking and child sex ring. The theory, which originated on 4chan, a message board known for free speech, extreme content, and trolling, alleged that Comet Ping Pong, a pizzeria in Washington, D.C., was involved in these activities.
The 4chan community connected the phrase "cheese pizza" to pedophiles, who on chat boards use the initials "c.p." to denote child pornography. They claimed that food terms were code words for criminal activity: "cheese" meant "little girl," "pasta" meant "little boy," and "sauce" meant "orgy." Based on this interpretation, they accused the pizzeria of hiding a torture dungeon in its basement, catering to prominent members of the Democratic Party.
The conspiracy theory quickly spread to other online platforms, including Reddit, 8chan, and Twitter, with alt-right activists, conservative journalists, and supporters of Donald Trump promoting it. The son of Michael Flynn, Trump's pick for national security advisor, openly propagated Pizzagate on Twitter, and members of his transition team promoted it as well. The conspiracy even had international reach, with pro-government media outlets in Turkey picking up the story.
Pizzagate had dangerous real-world consequences. The owner of Comet Ping Pong, James Alefantis, reported receiving threatening messages, and he was forced to hold an impromptu Q&A session with protesters to dispel the unfounded rumors. In one incident, a man from North Carolina travelled to Comet Ping Pong to investigate the conspiracy, firing a rifle inside the restaurant to break into a storage room. In another instance, Edgar Maddison Welch assaulted the pizzeria, inspired by conspiracy theories propagated by Alex Jones and others.
Pizzagate is often considered a precursor to the QAnon conspiracy theory, and it has evolved to focus on an alleged worldwide elite of child sex traffickers rather than specific political figures. It has also spread to new platforms like TikTok, reaching a broader audience beyond traditional right-wing conspiracy theorists.
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Frequently asked questions
'Cheese Pizza' or 'c.p' is a term used in paedophile chatrooms to denote explicit images of children.
4chan is an online imageboard website.
The conspiracy theory stems from 4chan users spotting the word 'pizza' in Clinton's hacked emails, which they interpreted as referring to child pornography.
