Apple Bans Parler App While Allowing Other Apps to Remain

Charlotte, NC — Following a threat from Apple on Friday, the company followed through by removing the social media application Parler from its app store. The news came after Parler had submitted measures that it was taking to Apple, but the company determined it was not enough. Now, Parler has been suspended from both Apple and Google stores.

Parler had been criticized for allowing violent rhetoric on its application without proper moderation. In its comments, Apple said that Parler is responsible for the user-generated content on the platform. That’s not entirely true.

Section 230, which President Donald Trump has spoken about repealing, says that these platforms are not responsible for the content that users generate. These platforms fall under the same guidelines as Twitter and Facebook, which have recently taken measures to ban conservatives.

Even more notable is that Apple has allowed other apps to remain that should be considered for removal. Multiple apps exist on the app store that displays physical violence against President Donald Trump, with one promoting slapping him and another promoting dropping things on his head.

What’s more, other discussion networks that contain even more violent rhetoric are allowed to exist. Underground networks like 4chan are available through several apps on the app store. The app for the website Reddit is also readily available where there is little to no moderation of the site.

Parler CEO John Matze says that the organization will be taking additional steps to combat the bans in the coming days.

Apple will be banning Parler until we give up free speech, institute broad and invasive policies like Twitter and Facebook and we become a surveillance platform by pursuing guilt of those who use Parler before innocence. They claim it is due to violence on the platform. The community disagrees as we hit number 1 on their store today. The same day “Hang Mike Pence”, a disgusting violent suggestion, was trending nationally on Twitter. Displaying the horrible double standard Apple and their big tech pack apply to the community. Apple, a software monopoly, provides no alternatives to installing apps on your phone other then their store. We do not own our phones, Apple simply rents them to us. Apple, Google and the rest of the anti-competitive pack of big tech tyrants coordinate their moves and work together to stifle competition in the marketplace. More details about our next plans coming soon as we have many options.

— John Matze John Saturday, January 9, 2021

It’s not clear what steps the organization will be taking, but expect that they will no doubt file lawsuits against both Google and Apple. The website version is still active and accessible for those who are signed up for the platform.