Parler
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About
Parler is a microblogging and social networking service generally deemed similar to Twitter in its functionality. Parler is marketed as an unbiased, free-speech social media platform and has gained notoriety as a haven for social media personalities who have been banned by mainstream platforms, earning Parler popularity among conservative, far-right and alt-right users. In early January 2021, after the storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Trump, several big tech companies suspended or banned Parler from their app stores and web-hosting services due to the platform's involvement in hosting user-generated content leading up to the riots.
History
On August 28th, August 2020, American enterpreneur and developer John Matze Jr. launched Parler (pronounced "par-lay" from the French word for "to speak"), a social media network marketed as a "non-biased free-speech" social media platform.[1] In addition to the website version of the platform, iOS[2] and Android[3] apps for it were launched.
Features
Parler is a microblogging and social media network largely similar to its main competitior Twitter in its functionality. Unlike Tiwtter, the website has a 1000 letter limit versus Twitter's 240 limit. Instead of "tweets," Parler posts are referred to as "parleys."
Parler states "offering the world a platform that protects user’s rights, supports publishers and builds online communities" as its goal. Parler's community guidelines[7] state that the platform does not allow defamation, blackmail, pornography, criminal solicitation, impersonation and incitement of violence ('fighting words").
Highlights
In June 2020, Parler gained major recognition online after several prominent conservative social media personalities and politicians announced that they would be launching accoings on the platform, including Ted Cruz, Katie Hopkins and Carpe Donktum, the latter two of whom had been recently banned from Twitter.
In late June 2020, multiple news outlets reported on the app, including articles by Forbes,[8] Newsweek[9] and Washington Times.[10]
Traffic
As of June 24th, 2020, Parler has been the 30,561st most popular website globally and 2,341st most popular website in the United States.[4] According to Parler founder John Matze Jr., the website had over 100,000 users as of May 2019.[5] As of June 25th, 2020, that number grew to 1.5 million, including 500,000 users who joined in the week preceeding this date.[6]
Parler Bans and Suspensions From App Stores and Web Services
Following the events of the storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of Trump on January 6th, 2021, Google, Apple and Amazon each suspended or banned Parler from their app stores and web-hosting services citing various reasons such as inciting violence or failing to curb such online discussion.[11]
Related Sites
Gab
Gab is a social networking platform which allows users to post messages, called "gabs," up to 300 characters in length. The site was created as an alternative to other social media platforms due to speculation of left-leaning bias.
Search Interest
External References
[4] Alexa – Monitor the COVID-19 Conversation as it Unfolds
[5] Politico.com – Amid censorship fears, Trump campaign 'checking out' alternative social network
[6] Mediaite – Eye-Popping 500k Users Flock to Twitter Competitor After Twitter Shuts Down Pro-Trump Accounts
[7] Parler – Community Guidelines
[8] Forbes – As Twitter Labels Trump Tweets, Some Republicans Flock To New Social Media Site
[9] Newsweek – Who Owns Parler? Social Media Platform Offers Safe Space for the Far Right
[10] Washington Times – Parler surges as conservative, Big Tech censorship vitims seek social media alternative
![Dear Amy, Thank you for speaking with us earlier today. As we discussed on the phone yesterday and this morning, we remain troubled by the repeated violations of our terms of service. Over the past several weeks, we’ve reported 98 examples to Parler of posts that clearly encourage and incite violence. Here are a few examples below from the ones we’ve sent previously: [See images above.]](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/list/001/988/314/843.png "Amazon Letter to Parler Excerpt")
![Dear Amy, Thank you for speaking with us earlier today. As we discussed on the phone yesterday and this morning, we remain troubled by the repeated violations of our terms of service. Over the past several weeks, we’ve reported 98 examples to Parler of posts that clearly encourage and incite violence. Here are a few examples below from the ones we’ve sent previously: [See images above.] Recently, we’ve seen a steady increase in this violent content on your website, all of which violates our terms. It's clear that Parler does not have an effective process to comply with the AWS terms of service. It also seems that Parler is still trying to determine its position on content moderation. You remove some violent content when contacted by us or others, but not always with urgency. Your CEO recently stated publicly that he doesn't “feel responsible for any of this, and neither should the platform." This morning, you shared that you have a plan to more proactively moderate violent content, but plan to do so manually with volunteers. It's our view that this nascent plan to use volunteers to promptly identify and remove dangerous content will not work in light of the rapidly growing number of violent posts. This is further demonstrated by the fact that you still have not taken down much of the content that we've sent you. Given the unfortunate events that transpired this past week in Washington, D.C., there is serious risk that this type of content will further incite violence. AWS provides technology and services to customers across the political spectrum, and we continue to respect Parler's right to determine for itself what content it will allow on its site. However, we cannot provide services to a customer that is unable to effectively identify and remove content that encourages or incites violence against others. Because Parler cannot comply with our terms of service and poses a very real risk to public safety, we plan to suspend Parler's account effective Sunday, January 1oth, at 11:59PM PST. We will ensure that all of your data is preserved for you to migrate to your own servers, and will work with you as best as we can to help your migration. - AWS Trust & Safety Team](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/list/001/988/309/619.png "Amazon Letter to Parler")
Top Comments
poochyena
Jun 26, 2020 at 12:07PM EDT
doonglerules
Jun 26, 2020 at 11:48AM EDT