Because of threats of violence: Apple throws Parler from the app store

Sunday 10th January 2021

Because of threats of violence
Apple throws Parler from the app store

Many Trump supporters who felt bullied by networks like Twitter or Facebook have moved to Parler in recent months. Right-wing extremists can also let off steam on the platform. After Google, Apple no longer wants to make the app available.

One day after Google, Apple has banned the right-wing social media app Parler from its app store until further notice. The platform violated the App Store conditions, it said in a message from Apple to Parler, about which the broadcaster CNN reported.

"The processes that Parler has set up to moderate or prevent the distribution of dangerous and illegal content have proven to be inadequate," complained Apple. In particular, direct threats of violence and calls to incite illegal acts that violated the guidelines were found. Parler had been removed from the App Store until the problems were resolved.

A Google spokesman had made a similar statement on Friday. Google's guidelines required apps with user-generated content to have their own guidelines for "removing content such as posts that incite violence," it said. Given the ongoing and acute threat to public safety, Parler will no longer be available on Google Play until these issues are resolved.

Parler boss invokes freedom of speech

Parler CEO John Matze criticized on his platform, according to CNN, that Apple would ban Parler "until we give up free speech, introduce broad and invasive guidelines like Twitter and Facebook and we become a surveillance platform".

Parler describes itself as an "unbiased" medium that promotes freedom of speech and focuses on protecting user rights. It is widespread among supporters of the elected US President Donald Trump and gained popularity in the course of the US election.

According to US media reports, the violent protests by Trump supporters on Wednesday, which culminated in the storming of the Capitol in Washington, were largely organized via apps such as Parler. People in Trump's environment had repeatedly advertised Parler as an alternative to Twitter or Facebook, which allegedly suppressed conservative views. White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said on Twitter at the end of June that she had set up an account with Parler because she was fed up with conservatives being "censored" on these platforms.