Parler, Controversial Social Media App Used by Jan. 6 Insurrectionists, to Relaunch in 2024
After the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol, Parler, a social media app known for its lack of content control, was removed from app marketplaces by Apple and Google. However, according to David Ingram and Abigail Brooks, Parler has been sold and is set to relaunch early next year before the 2024 presidential election.
Parler’s Return to a Conservative-Dominated Social Media Landscape
Parler, which was used by participants of the January 6 insurrection, will be reentering a social media landscape that is dominated by conservative platforms. Truth Social, a platform sympathetic to former President Donald Trump, has gained popularity since Elon Musk purchased Twitter and rebranded it as X.
Relaunch Plans and New Leadership
Ryan Rhodes, the newly appointed CEO of Parler, expects the app to be operational by January 1 and fully relaunched by February. The aim is to provide a secure and inclusive environment for open dialogue while implementing monitoring measures to prevent harmful content such as terrorism, child pornography, and trafficking. Parler’s new ownership group includes former CEO Elise Pierotti, Ryan Rhodes, and anti-sex trafficking activist Jaco Booyens.
Parler’s History and Challenges
Parler was founded in 2018 as an alternative to platforms like Facebook and Twitter, which were criticized for their content policies regarding hate speech and disinformation. Parler allowed for a Twitter-like stream with fewer regulations, including the spread of false claims about the 2020 presidential election being stolen.
While Parler attracted Republican lawmakers like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, it struggled to gain mass popularity and faced challenges in staying online due to its conflicts with tech giants. Amazon withdrew its cloud-computing services from Parler, and the app was removed from Apple and Google’s app stores.
Future Plans for Parler
In an effort to avoid dependence on Amazon Web Services and other providers, the new Parler will have its own U.S. servers. The relaunch of Parler aims to provide a platform for conservative voices ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
It remains to be seen how Parler’s return will impact the social media landscape and whether it will be able to overcome the challenges it previously faced in gaining widespread popularity.
