Parler, the social media app popular with Trump loyalists and right-wingers, was removed from the Google Play Store late Friday – with the internet giant claiming Parler had failed to “remove serious content such as inciting violence . “
Apple has also warned Parler, who sees itself as a ‘free speech’ alternative to Twitter or Facebook, that the app should be banned from the App Store within 24 hours if it does not remove content that “encourages illegal activity”. As of Saturday morning, Parler has been the latest app in Apple’s App Store in the news category.
The move came when Twitter permanently banned Donald Trump, citing the possible risk that the aggrieved crippled president would incite additional violence among his supporters. Trump accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitch and other platforms have also been blocked indefinitely or permanently after his role in organizing and supporting the insurgent mob that occupied the U.S. capital on Jan. 6 in a deadly clash with police.
In a statement, Google said that “to protect user safety on Google Play, our long-standing policy requires that apps displaying user-generated content have moderation policies and applications that remove serious content such as violent incitement.” It continued: ‘We are aware of the continuing placement in the Parler app that seeks to incite ongoing violence in the US’ and said that ‘in view of this ongoing and urgent threat to public safety, we welcome the offers of the app suspended from the Play Store. until it addresses these issues. ”
The Google Play ban reduces Parler’s visibility, but due to Android’s open architecture, the app’s version is still available as a direct download from the Parler website. Apple’s removal of Parler for iOS would be a more serious blow, as the tech colossus’ App Store is the only way to get apps for its iPhone and iPad devices (though users who have already installed the iOS app, it could still be used “” after removal from the App Store).
Parler’s founder and CEO John Matze in a post on the app on Friday rejected the actions of the technical giants, accusing them of double standards. “Standards not applied to Twitter, Facebook or even Apple itself apply to Parler,” he wrote. Matze said Parler’s community guidelines prohibit violent speech (including ‘threats of violence’ and ‘advocacy for threatening lawless action’) and claim that the company has always applied the rules.
‘[W]E WONT cave for politically motivated companies and the authorities who hate freedom of speech! Matze wrote. According to the board member, most people at Parler are non-violent people who want to share their opinions, food photos and more. “
Matze also posted a screenshot in the app of Apple’s notice to the company outlining ‘serious violations of the App Store guidelines’.
“We want to make it clear that Parler is, in fact, responsible for all user-generated content on your service, and for ensuring that this content meets the App Store requirements for the safety and security of our users,” Apple said in a statement. of 8 January. “We do not distribute dangerous or harmful programs.”
According to Apple’s logic, Matze claims, Apple should be “responsible for ALL actions” customers take on their phones, including “Every car bomb, every illegal cell phone call, every illegal crime committed on an iPhone.” He also claims that Google did not send an explanation to Parler as to why it decided to ban the app before removing it from the Play Store.
Parler was founded in 2018 and boasts of its practical approach to moderation, as opposed to the intensified policing by mainstream social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.
While Trump himself currently does not have an account on Parler, his son Donald Trump Jr. active in the app, as are right-wing figures such as Sean Hannity and Fox News, Tucker Carlson and representative Devin Nunes (R-California).
“Speak freely and speak openly, without fear of your views,” the company said on its website. “Link with real people, not with clashes. Parler is focused on people and on privacy and gives you the tools you need to put together your Parler experience. ”