The Parler app – which was removed by Apple after accusations that it was used to plan and facilitate the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021 – is now back in the App Store. The Android version of the social media app has not yet been accepted back into the Google Play Store.
The company’s new CEO says that the app’s focus on completely unmoderated posts has now changed, though it’s unclear who actually owns and controls the business now …
The Parler story
Parler originally launched back in 2018, as self-described “free speech” social media site in which posts were said to be completely unmoderated. It attracted users who’d been banned from what was then Twitter for hate speech, death threats, and more.
The app was heavily associated with the attempted insurrection at the Capitol building, with more than 500 videos posted on Parler during the assault, many of them from inside the building. Parler users also called for Mike Pence to be murdered
Apple responded by giving Parler 24 hours to rid the platform of “dangerous and illegal content.”
We have received numerous complaints regarding objectionable content in your Parler service, accusations that the Parler app was used to plan, coordinate, and facilitate the illegal activities in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021 that led (among other things) to loss of life, numerous injuries, and the destruction of property. The app also appears to continue to be used to plan and facilitate yet further illegal and dangerous activities.
Parler failed to do so, and Apple removed the app from the App Store. Both app and website subsequently went offline after server host Amazon Web Services closed the company’s account.
The company subsequently found alternative hosting arrangements, and asked Apple to allow the app back onto the store. Apple declined after reviewing app content.
Simple searches reveal highly objectionable content, including easily identified offensive uses of derogatory terms regarding race, religion and sexual orientation, as well as Nazi symbols.
This content was later removed, and the app was allowed back onto the App Store. However, subsequent failures by the company to keep its moderation promises saw the app again removed last year.
Parler app again back in the App Store
Wired reports that Parler was allowed back into the App Store this week, under new ownership. The company’s new CEO, Ryan Rhodes, says that this time the app really has changed – though the actual reassurances seem rather underwhelming.
Rhodes […] said threats of physical harm wouldn’t be allowed on Parler. “We are going to monitor certain things that had previously gotten them in trouble, such as some of the comments about Mike Pence and things that drew negative attention,” Rhodes said.
It’s unclear who actually owns the company now, as well as who will control policy.
Rhodes repeated to WIRED that he and Pierotti are the current partial owners of the company through PDS Partners, though he would not name the other owners and investors. “One of the reasons why we technically won’t disclose is because we don’t need media, people going after these private companies and trying to put them out publicly and ostracize them for purchasing or being involved,” says [chief marketing officer] Elise Pierotti […]
There are still questions about who will be running the company day-to-day. Rhodes said that there was a management team listed on Parler’s website but then added that it might be “temporarily down.” Rhodes said the management team was listed on its website as recently as last week, but WIRED was unable to locate that information using the Internet Archive.
While the company’s slogan claims “Parler is back for good,” I wouldn’t personally put any money on the app making it very far through the current election cycle.
Photo by Oleg Laptev on Unsplash
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