Parler,a microblogging and social networking app have been suspended by Apple &Amazon from their platforms. Apple had written to the executives' of Parlerthat their platform had been used by supporters of President Donald Trump tostorm the US Capitol on January 8, 2021.
Applefurther added, "We have received numerous complaints regardingobjectionable content in your Parler service, accusations that the Parler appwas used to plan, coordinate, and facilitate the illegal activities in WashingtonD.C. on January 6, 2021 that led to loss of life, numerous injuries, and thedestruction of property." It further added that the app was used to planand conduct illegal and dangerous activities.
Applehad asked Parler officials to update the app with moderation improvement planwithin 24 hours of the date of the message. After a few hours, Google came upwith a similar ultimatum that until it came up with a moderation plan, itsapp's listing in the Google Play Store will be suspended.
Parleris regarded as Twitter without rules where people can post whatever they likewithout any content moderation by the company. However, Parler CEO John Matzeturn a Nelson's eye towards these warnings by tech companies. Matze said, “We will not cave to pressurefrom anti-competitive actors! We will and always have enforced our rulesagainst violence and illegal activity. But we WONT cave to politicallymotivated companies and those authoritarians who hate free speech!”
Afterthe micro blogging site was launched in 2018, many Trump supporters, QAnonbelievers and all those whose accounts were suspended by Facebook or Twittershifted to Parler. It becomes users' delight because of its no contentmoderation policy. Parler is touted as an "unbiased social media focusedon real user experiences and engagements." Screen grabs from parler's feedshow vile content that go unchecked on its platform.
Apple,Google and Amazon suspended Parler after it didn't pay heed to the objectionsraised by the companies. Apple in a statement to The Hill Newspaper said," “We have always supported diverse points of view being represented onthe App Store, but there is no place on our platform for threats of violenceand illegal activity.” It further added that Parler had not taken adequatemeasures.
Amazonalso suspended Parler from its Amazon Web Services (AWS). Parler is said to bea defaulter for not complying with the terms and services of AWS. The move tosuspend Parler came at a time when Twitter banned President Donald Trump due to"risk of further incitement of violence."
Googlealso took a similar decision while citing user safety and content moderationstandards. It has triggered a debate on Internet and micro-blogging sites wheresome people are terming the suspension as 'muscle flexing' policy of big-tech.