Parler, the social media site popular among Donald Trump supporters, banned on Apple, Google and Amazon platforms, is back online.
Although the social media site is not functioning fully again, there are now two messages on the URL.
‘It now seems like the right time to remind you all, both lovers and haters, why we started this platform. We believe privacy is paramount, and freedom of speech is essential, especially on social media. Our goal has always been to provide a non-partisan public square where individuals can enjoy and exercise their rights to both, ”reads a statement on Parler’s website.
“We will solve any challenge before us and plan to welcome you all again soon. We will not let the civil conversation go! ”
The second is a more concise post by CEO John Matze, made on January 16: “Hello world, is this thing on?”
When Parler was banned from using Amazon Web Services to host its website, it went offline as the company no longer had access to servers that could store the actual content posted on the platform. Since then, Parler has been looking for new ways to get online while being banned from many major providers of web hosting and other internet services.
The Parler domain appears to be registered with Epik, a company that enables websites to register their domain names, as well as a number of other services designed to power websites. Epik also supported not only Parler but also other social media sites like Gab and 8Chan.
However, Epik told CNN that he does not offer Parler’s web hosting. It is currently unclear which company provides server support for Parler.
“Regarding a future relationship between Epik and Parler, it is important to note that our discussions to date have focused on improving policy, rather than on specific capabilities for hosting and service delivery,” Epik said in ‘ said a statement on January 14.
“Since Parler has the ability to directly acquire servers almost anywhere in the world, the key elements of any return online should be focused on the significant responsibility they carry for self-policing, better governance and more competent policy implementation.” .
According to one employee familiar with the company’s efforts to find new hosting services after being banned from Amazon, the social media site discussed an agreement with Cloudrovia, another tool provider for websites.
An agreement ‘more than six figures’ discussed’ almost a week ‘is expected to be announced, with Cloudrovia’ expanding ‘server capabilities,’ the employee said.
A snapshot of a shared email The Independent, with the subject line “Cloudrovia.com host” and sent to a Parler.com email address, apparently describes the server capabilities required to host the website.
However, the move is seen as controversial within the company. ‘It all got very dark [and] silent ”, they said, adding that employees had said they would leave the company should Cloudrovia announce the deal, feeling“ hesitant and confused ”.
Other companies have sent messages to Cloudrovia saying they would withdraw their use if the company offers Parler, including furniture brand Savs and video calling platform Pijin.
‘Yes. We use all Cloudrovia services. They already support Parler ‘, a Pijin spokesman said The Independent via email.
“Parler was directly involved in promoting propaganda. They incited violence, destruction of government property and murder. They hatch the conspiracy of terrorist attacks. This is not something that will support. We will no longer use Cloudrovia and their services. ”
A Savs spokesman said the company “does not address any hatred spread across Parler.”
“A partner company of ours that also works with Cloudrovia has informed us about their partnership with Parler,” they continued. “We have read Cloudrovia’s statements on freedom of speech and we will not work with a business, opening their doors to Parler.”
According to the employee, Cloudrovia’s CEO issued an internal statement in which he said that he ‘offered our services to Parler indefinitely’ and that the company has been in communication with the team since the ban took effect.
The CEO apparently also said that employees should remember the “great length” for “maintaining freedom of speech.”
In a public blog post shared on January 15, Cloudrovia’s founder said he did not support ‘violence, irregularities or extremism in any form’, but that ‘our mainstream society faces the appalling consequences of suppressing free speech’. far seen. right, but seem to accept the same oppression of the far-left. ”
‘You may not support the current leader of the USA. However, if you respect democracy, you would have considered it 75 million Americans [sic] put him in power. “The recent ban on social media indicates a dangerous threat to our democracy,” the statement said.
“We have witnessed the silence of an elected politician by unelected entrepreneurs. Take someone away [sic] whether it’s your neighbor or local storekeeper, we should all be concerned. The fact that this voice belongs to the elected leader of the free world shows the terrifying power of technology. ”
The statement further criticized Apple and Google for Parler’s platforming – claiming that the app was introduced with “uncensored freedom of speech” as an “important feature” – before it was removed after the events in the Capitol building.
Google said Parler was suspended “in light of this ongoing and urgent threat to public safety.”
In an email to Parler executives, Apple wrote: “We have received numerous complaints about offensive content in your Parler service, allegations that the Parler app was used to plan, coordinate and facilitate illegal activities.” in Washington DC.
Amazon further removed Parler by removing it from Amazon Web Services. Amazon told Parler that ‘an increasing increase in this violent content has been seen on your site, all of which violate our terms’.
“The decision of AWS to terminate Parler’s account effectively is apparently motivated by political animus,” the lawsuit reads.
“There is no merit to these claims. “AWS provides technology and services to customers across the political spectrum, and we respect Parler’s right to determine for itself what content it allows,” an Amazon spokesman said in a statement.
‘It is clear, however, that Parler contains significant content that encourages and incites violence against others, and that Parler is unable or unwilling to immediately identify and remove this content, which is a violation of our Terms of Service. We made Parler aware of our concerns over a number of weeks and during that time we saw a significant increase in this type of dangerous content, not a decrease, which led to the suspension of their services on Sunday night. ‘
In addition, Parler encourages users to submit more identifying information than Facebook or Twitter, including their driver’s license, to receive a “verified real person” badge, similar to Twitter’s blue check mark.
‘[Law enforcement] can only sue AWS once people start digging through this stuff. remember: the people were dumb enough to give Parler photos of their IDs, one hacker investigating the data said.
Neither Parler nor Cloudrovia responded to repeated requests for comment The Independent.