Parler, a social media app popular with U.S. conservatives, is returning to Google's app store more than one and a half years after the Alphabet Inc.-owned company removed it following the U.S. Capitol riots in January 2021.
The app was launched in 2018 and styled itself as a
free-speech space for those seeking an alternative to platforms such as
Twitter. It quickly gained traction from supporters of former U.S. President
Donald Trump.
However, major tech platforms cut ties with Parler for
failing to police violent content that led to the attack on the U.S. Capitol by
Trump supporters.
The app is now being reinstated after it undertook a series
of measures to moderate content on the platform, including features to block
abusive users and remove content that could incite violence, a Google
spokesperson said.
Parler has substantially modified its app to comply with
Play Store's policies and will be available for download from Friday, the spokesperson
added.
"Parler has a strong commitment to free speech and
despite the market duopoly, is working to provide options and choices for the
millions of voices currently being censored or suppressed based on their
viewpoint," said Christina Cravens, Parler's marketing chief.
To be sure, Parler had made its app available for Android
phones through a separate version that could be downloaded on its website after
it was removed from Play Store.
Apple Inc. reinstated the app on its App Store in May last year.
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