A neo-Nazi website has been expelled by webhosting company GoDaddy for an article posted disparaging a woman who was killed during protests in Virginia.
On Sunday, The Daily Stormer published an article written by founder and editor Andrew Anglin, criticising Heather Heyer, who died when a car ploughed into a crowd of protesters at a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville.
The company said on Sunday it had given the Daily Stormer 24 hours to move its domain to another provider, after the denigrating article was published.
"We informed the Daily Stormer that they have 24 hours to move the domain to another provider, as they have violated our terms of service," GoDaddy said in a statement on Twitter.
GoDaddy had been under pressure from web users who were complaining and saying that the site should be removed.
Since the site's announcement, a message has appeared on the Daily Stormer claiming that the site has been hijacked by hacking group Anonymous. However, the group said in a statement that they had received no confirmation that its members were behind the hack.
"We have no confirmation that 'Anonymous' is involved yet," it wrote on Twitter. "Looks more like a [Daily Stormer] stunt. "Wonder if they are having issues finding a new host."
It remains unclear who is behind the message.
"Social media sites and those hosting content are very alive to public pressure and perception," said Niri Shan, a media lawyer at Taylor Wessing.
"Now you've got politicians saying they'll intervene and legislate if they don't take more actions on the content on their sites, so I think this is part of a bigger picture.
A protester outside Trump Towers in Chicago holds signs featuring Heather Heyer. Credit: PA
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"I'm pleased GoDaddy did what they did but I'm a little disappointed they did it after public pressure, I would have liked them to have been more proactive."
A man has now been arrested and charged with murder after the car crashed into a group of people peacefully protesting against a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
A vigil held for the victims in Charlottesville. Credit: PA
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The attack injured 19, as well as killing Heather Heyer.
20-year-old James Fields, of Ohio, has been arrested and charged following the attack on Saturday.
"He has been charged with second degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding and failing to stop at an accident that resulted in a death," Col Martin Kumer, the superintendent of Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, told The Guardian.
Charlottesville mayor Mike Signer tweeted: "I am heartbroken that a life has been lost here. I urge all people of good will - go home."
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Source: BBC News, The Guardian
Featured Image Credit: PA