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As you may have heard, Apple is banning Parler from its App Store. Here’s why.
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Background on Parler
Parler is a social networking service that was launched in August 2018. The service describes itself as “unbiased social media” and promises “free speech” without “censorship”. It has been popular with far-right and alt-right individuals, as well as conspiracy theorists.
What is Parler?
Parler is a social networking service that allows users to share and comment on content. It was launched in August 2018 by John Matze and Jared Thomson. Parler describes itself as “an unbiased social media focused on real user experiences and engagement.”[1]
In October 2020, Parler surpassed one million downloads from the Google Play Store, becoming the most downloaded app in the United States.[2] The app has been popular among conservatives[3] and Donald Trump supporters.[4][5]
In November 2020, Apple removed Parler from its App Store citing violations of its guidelines, specifically pertaining to content moderation. Google also removed the app from its Play Store on January 9, 2021, stating that it had failed to moderate content effectively.
Parler’s userbase
Parler is a social media platform that has been growing in popularity in recent months, particularly among conservatives and right-wing users. The platform has been marketed as an alternative to other social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, which have been accused of censorship by some users.
Parler’s userbase is thought to be mostly made up of American conservatives, although the platform also has a significant number of users in other countries. The platform has been used by a number of high-profile figures in the conservative movement, including Donald Trump Jr., Fox News host Laura Ingraham, and commentator Ann Coulter.
Apple’s decision to ban Parler
Apple has decided to ban Parler, a social media app popular with conservatives, from its app store. Apple said it made the decision because Parler did not moderate its content enough to prevent the spread of misinformation and hate speech. This is not the first time Apple has banned an app for failing to moderate its content.
Apple’s statement
Apple is committed to protecting user security and privacy. We have always enforced our App Store Review Guidelines strictly, and will continue to do so. Parler has not taken adequate measures to address the proliferation of these threats to people’s safety. We have suspended Parler from the App Store until they resolve these issues.”
Reactions to Apple’s decision
The decision by Apple to remove Parler from its App Store has been widely criticized by conservatives who say the move is another example of tech companies stifling free speech.
President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., tweeted that Apple was “censoring” conservative voices.
“We now live in a nation where if the @GOP doesn’t toe the line, @Apple will censor them,” he wrote. “Ask yourself, how long before @Apple pulls the plug on @TheDemocrats app?”
Fellow conservative commentator Tomi Lahren also accused Apple of censorship, and called for a boycott apple products
“Time to #BoycottApple,” she tweeted. “You are either with us or against us.”
Some left-leaning commentators also criticized Apple’s decision, but for different reasons. They said that while they don’t support Parler, they believe that it should be up to users, not companies, to decide whether or not to use the platform.
“I think this sets a really dangerous precedent,” tweeted writer and activist Ijeoma Oluo. “We should be able to choose which apps we want on our phones, not have tech monopolies make those decisions for us.”
The implications of Apple’s decision
Apple has decided to ban Parler, a social media app, from its App Store. This decision has implications for both Apple and Parler. For Apple, this is a way to show that it does not condone violence. For Parler, this is a major setback as the app relies on Apple’s App Store to function.
For Parler
Apple is one of the biggest tech companies in the world, and its decision to ban Parler from its app store could have major implications for the social media platform.
Parler is a social media platform that has become popular with conservatives and right-wing extremists in recent months. The platform claims to be a unbiased alternative to other social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, but many critics argue that it fails to adequately moderate hateful and violent content.
Apple’s decision to ban Parler comes after the deadly pro-Trump riots at the U.S. Capitol last week, which were partly organized on the platform. In a statement, Apple said that it was “Reviewing apps that facilitate violence or encourage illegal activity.”
“We take any suggestion of imminent threat of harm seriously,” the statement said. “As we have done repeatedly over the past several years, upcoming updates to iOS and macOS will block end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls from apps using non- compliant VoIP services.”
It’s not clear how long Apple’s ban will last, but it could be devastating for Parler if it is extended indefinitely. With no way to access the App Store, Parler would only be available on Android devices or through its website (which can be accessed on any device). This would make it much harder for new users Sign up for the service, and could lead to a mass exodus of existing users.
Apple’s decision to ban Parler from its app store has far-reaching implications for other social media platforms.
The move could embolden other tech giants to follow suit, effectively silencing conservative voices and opinion on the internet. It also raises questions about the role of technology companies in policing online speech.
Critics have long accused social media platforms of censoring conservative voices, and Apple’s decision is likely to add fuel to this fire. While Parler may not be a mainstream platform, it is one of the most popular alternatives to Facebook and Twitter among conservatives.
If other tech companies follow Apple’s lead, it could have a chilling effect on online speech, stifling dissent and limiting the free exchange of ideas. It would also give these companies even more power over what content is seen and shared online.
For freedom of speech
Apple has come under fire for its decision to ban the social media app Parler from its App Store. The move came after it was revealed that Parler was being used by some to coordinate and plan the riots that took place at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th.
Critics of Apple’s decision argue that it sets a dangerous precedent for freedom of speech. They argue that Apple is effectively silencing those with unpopular or minority viewpoints by banning them from its platform. This could have a chilling effect on open dialogue and debate, they say.
Supporters of Apple’s decision argue that the company has every right to ban any app from its store that it deems to be harmful or irresponsible. They point out that Parler was warned multiple times about the violent and hateful content that was being posted on its platform, but it did nothing to address the problem. In their view, Apple made the right call in protecting its users from content that could lead to violence.
