Toronto Website That Listed Businesses Wanting Proof Of Vaccination Shuts Down Due To 'Hate'
The creator said people have been targeting restaurants and shops with fake reviews.
A Toronto website that provided residents with a list of Ontario businesses that promote vaccine policies has been forced to shut down due to brutal trolling.
The creator of the site, which is called safetodo.ca, informed supporters via Twitter on Tuesday that they were shutting down their website after locations began receiving hateful messages, false bookings and fake Google reviews.
Whenever I add a new business, there is a group of people (a small minority), who attack those businesses by leaving fake google reviews, making false bookings at their restaurants, and sending hateful messages to them.— safetodo.ca (@safetodo.ca) 1626829382
"I do not feel comfortable adding businesses, despite their requests, because I cannot possibly confirm that they know about some of the negative reactions that may result," part of the thread reads.
"I have also received a significant number of personal hate messages, including one that I needed to report to the police today. The messages have become increasingly personal, directed, and hateful," they added.
The website documented restaurants, shops and other companies that were taking to social media to let customers know their staff had been fully vaccinated, as well as businesses that require proof of vaccination or at least one vaccine dose to enter.
The website, which was started less than a week ago, aimed to provide a resource to those with medical conditions that make COVID-19 high risk for them.
"I don't see this as 'defeat.' I just don't think that the goal that I initially set out to accomplish can positively be met, without significant risk," they added. "I hope everyone will continue to support their local businesses."