Parler's comeback in Q1 2024 aims to return to its roots as a robust marketplace for ideas, according to the company's announcement.
Originally launched in 2018, Parler was popular among conservative audiences and found a niche of users frustrated with mainstream platforms' speech rules. During its heyday, major platforms like Twitter removed accounts for minor rule infractions or banned controversial figures like Donald Trump. Despite the platform's controversies, it sometimes became a hotbed for hate speech and misinformation, including baseless election conspiracy theories.
Reports revealed widespread use of Hakenkreuz symbols and racist posts, with far-right groups, QAnon followers, disaffected government critics, and white supremacists making their presence known. The platform was briefly taken off major app stores after rioters used it to plan the January 6th Capitol attack, but both Google and Apple later allowed the app back in.
The service struggled to regain its user base post-removal. Comscore data from The Righting showed that in August 2022, the site had just 137,000 daily visitors, a significant drop from 12.3 million in January 2021 during the Capitol attack. Critics argue that the site has become an echo chamber for extreme views.
Parler stirred controversy in October 2022 when Kanye West announced intentions to purchase the company, following antisemitic comments that led to a temporary Twitter ban. Despite initial interest, the deal never materialized. Meanwhile, Twitter under Elon Musk welcomed back controversial figures like Alex Jones and Andrew Tate in their rebranding to X.
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Enrichment Data: Following its removal from major app stores in 2021, Parler faced challenges in regaining its user base. Critics argue that the company's initial focus on free speech began to give way to extreme views, creating an echo chamber for misinformation and hate speech.
Alternative Social Media Platforms:
- Truth Social: Owned by Donald Trump, Truth Social faces criticism for shadowbanning liberal and progressive users and permitting content related to the January 6th Capitol attack and the subsequent hearings[1]. Its uneven application of content policies has led to accusations of creating an echo chamber[2].
- Gab: Famous for its free-speech stance, Gab allows hate speech and has been criticized for a lack of mechanisms to report it. The platform's approach to governance has caused tension, as it purportedly supports the First Amendment while failing to consistently enforce its content standards[3].
[1] Bösselmann, J. (2022, October 14). 'Elon Musk’s Twitter faces criticism as far right Settles in.' The Guardian. [2] Bentzen, M. (2021, October 2). 'Truth Social App Exposes Gay People To Hate Speech'. Out. [3] Grubbs, E. (2022, October 6). 'Gab social media platform’s extremist users face easier moderation than left-leaning ones, report finds.' NBCNews.com.
