The controversial social network Parler is expected to appear on iOS again on April 26 after being accepted back into Apple’s App Store earlier today. However, the iOS app will block some content available on Parler’s Android and web versions – a compromise that apparently complies with Apple’s developer guidelines.
Parler announced the news in a press release. Interim CEO Mark Meckler said the company ‘worked’ to set up systems that would better detect illegal speech and enable users to filter out content that is not desirable to them, while violating our strict ban on moderation based on views. ‘
Apple accepted Parler again after a months-long ban under pressure from lawmakers, two days before a hearing on Apple’s App Store policy. The company said Parler – which promotes itself as a less strictly moderated alternative to Facebook or Twitter – had “substantial talks” with Parler, leading to a set of proposed changes that would comply with Apple’s content policies.
According to Parler’s press release, this includes filtering some content on iOS. “While the App Store version of Parler will ban some postings that allow Parler, the postings will still be visible on the web-based and Android versions of Parler,” the release says. Parler did not elaborate on what types of content it would include, but Apple generally needs a system to filter out “offensive” material posted by users.
Apple, Google and Amazon all banned Parler after the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, saying Parler could not police violent threats and hateful content. Parler has sued Amazon, which he partnered with for web hosting, but the case has so far gone badly in court. Google has continued to block Parler from its Play Store, but users can install the app directly on Android, making the ban significantly less liable.