Google bans Parler from Android app store

Source: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/01/google-bans-parler-from-android-app-store/
Published: Jan 9, 2021
Author: Timothy B. Lee
Post Date: 2021-01-09 08:31:31 by Ada
Views: 1547

Mainstream social media sites have banned Donald Trump and others on the right.

Google has banned the conservative social media app Parler from its Play Store for Android.

In a statement to Ars, Google said it was enforcing long-standing policies requiring that social media apps remove "egregious content like posts that incite violence."

"We’re aware of continued posting in the Parler app that seeks to incite ongoing violence in the US," a Google spokesman told Ars. "In light of this ongoing and urgent public safety threat, we are suspending the app’s listings from the Play Store until it addresses these issues."

While Google didn't specify which "posts that incite violence" it had in mind, it's a reasonable guess that they're related to Wednesday's riot at the US Capitol that interrupted the certification of Joe Biden's election as president. The riot occurred after Trump held a rally near the White House and urged his supporters to march on the Capitol.

Activists pointed to posts like this one on Parler that glorified Wednesday's violence and vowed to commit more in the coming days. Enlarge Sleeping Giants

Google's Parler ban comes just as mainstream social media sites have banned a number of prominent right-wing figures. On Friday, Twitter banned President Trump and former associates Michael Flynn and Sidney Powell. The same day, Reddit banned one of its most popular pro-Trump subreddits.

Social media sites' increasingly aggressive moderation efforts have caused some conservatives to look for alternatives, with Parler emerging as a popular choice. And Parler has leaned into its reputation as a right-wing alternative to Twitter. When I created a Parler account for myself on Friday evening, Parler recommended I follow conservative pundits and politicians like Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, and Devin Nunes. It also recommended the Parler accounts of conservative website PragerU and the Babylon Bee, an Onion competitor that caters to conservative sensibilities. Advertisement Enlarge

But if Parler isn't available on the Android app store, that could limit its ability to attract new conservatives users. Parler's growth will be hampered even further if Apple bans Parler from its own App Store. Parler CEO John Matze has told media outlets that Apple sent Parler a letter threatening to ban the app if it didn't quickly change its moderation policies. But the changes Apple is demanding might conflict with the free speech philosophy that has made Parler attractive to conservatives in the first place.

In some ways, Parler is following in the footsteps of Gab, another right-leaning social network that has faced hostility from Apple and Google. Gab's profile was raised in 2017 when well-known Internet trolls and neo-Nazis who had been kicked off of other platforms flocked to Gab. Apple rejected Gab from its App Store that year, and Google pulled the app from the Play Store after initially approving it. Both companies cited the app's inadequate safeguards against hate speech. Gab eventually joined the open Mastadon social network, causing controversy there.

Post Comment   Private Reply

#1: Pinguinite    To: Ada (#0)

Apps can be downloaded outside of the Apple & Google depositories. If you go to parler.com you can certainly get it there.

Pinguinite posted on 2021-01-09 14:54:49   Reply   Private Reply

#2: Dakmar    To: Pinguinite (#1)

Most (all?) smart phones have internet browser, but it is usually a lot easier to to just install the app.

Since most of these sites rely on advertising, I'm wondering if Apple/Google etc could be sued for interfering with interstate commerce.

Dakmar posted on 2021-01-09 14:58:55   Reply   Private Reply

#3: Dakmar    To: All (#2)

To clarify: Site A (some generic social media forum) did nothing illegal, but Site B (search engine/app store) decides they do not like Site A. Is this a case of a mercantile exercising their right to carry merchandise of their choosing, or is there a public right to goods and services, aka accomodations?

Dakmar posted on 2021-01-09 15:05:05   Reply   Private Reply

#4: Pinguinite    To: Dakmar (#2)

Messing with interstate commerce would not be a criminal act or civil act, it seems to me.

But what it could create is an anti-trust situation where the action basically proves Apple and Google hold unfair monopolies. Combine that with the First Amendment nature of the apps and there could be a general legal case.

Microsoft had a similar situation with their Internet Explorer web browser in competition with, I think it was Netscape back then, or maybe Firefox. MS basically made it at least difficult for people to choose and/or use browsers other than MSIE, and a legal action forced them to be more accommodating.

So if Google & Apple remove access from their depositories of Parler then I'd expect it to constitute a case of unfair competition. So it wouldn't surprise me if Parler announces a lawsuit against Google and possibly Apple if they carry through as well.

The built-in depositories also comes with the service of being screened for malware and such. If people rely on downloading from the site, than invariably some trojanware versions could be circulated in social media that might cost users that way. So by not offering the apps in their respective repositories, they increase the risk of hacking of their respective customers.

Pinguinite posted on 2021-01-09 15:18:22   Reply   Private Reply

#5: Dakmar    To: Pinguinite (#4)

Messing with interstate commerce would not be a criminal act or civil act, it seems to me.

Not for private entities, I guess. For a political party/member of government it may (should) be.

Dakmar posted on 2021-01-09 15:57:27   Reply   Private Reply

#6: Dakmar    To: Pinguinite (#4)

(just asking) What if the the CEO of AT&T, a public utility, decided that conservatives were not allowed to use their phone lines. Or electric/gas company?

Dakmar posted on 2021-01-09 16:00:38   Reply   Private Reply

#7: Dakmar    To: Pinguinite (#6)

It seems like settled law, but, like Dr Thompson stated (lol), I've got the fear!

Dakmar posted on 2021-01-09 16:03:15   Reply   Private Reply

#8: Lod    To: Dakmar, Pinguinite, 4um (#7)

gab - an alternative to twitter, et al

news.gab.com/2020/09/30/g...e-resilient-in-a-big-way/

Lod posted on 2021-01-09 23:10:35   Reply   Private Reply

#9: Esso    To: Lod, 4um (#8)

I remember when those Dymo label makers were the rage.

Esso posted on 2021-01-09 23:12:50   Reply   Private Reply

#10: StraitGate    To: Esso (#9)

Dymo label makers

Dig it!

StraitGate posted on 2021-01-09 23:21:41   Reply   Private Reply

#11: Esso    To: StraitGate, 4um (#10)

Esso posted on 2021-01-09 23:37:09   Reply   Private Reply

#12: Lod    To: Esso, Straitgate, label freaks (#9)

I still have mine, somewhere...

Lod posted on 2021-01-09 23:54:15   Reply   Private Reply

#13: StraitGate    To: Lod (#12)

But can you still get tape for it?

StraitGate posted on 2021-01-10 00:02:15   Reply   Private Reply

#14: Pinguinite    To: Ada (#0)

I'd expect Parlers massive growth to make it impossible to monitor all that goes through it.

Pinguinite posted on 2021-01-10 00:53:10   Reply   Private Reply

#15: Pinguinite    To: Dakmar (#6)

What if the the CEO of AT&T, a public utility, decided that conservatives were not allowed to use their phone lines. Or electric/gas company?

I'd see that as a violation of civil rights for sure that would be actionable in court.

Pinguinite posted on 2021-01-10 00:54:49   Reply   Private Reply

#16: Ada    To: Pinguinite (#14)

I guess Trump has yet to discover it.

Ada posted on 2021-01-10 08:42:57   Reply   Private Reply

#17: TommyTheMadArtist    To: Ada (#0)

When I was shouted down about ANTIFA infiltrators running the riot op in DC, was when I walked away from Parler. Parler is another control mechanism where people preach the same bullshit and the liberal agitators are there along with their fed bots that follow any and all key words typed. I found myself having comments downvoted by profiles that were created the same day, or had no other posts about 80 percent of the time. Then I would be followed by people pretending to be celebrity fan pages. I am telling you Parler is another fed run page.

If you’re on Parler, watch your step. If you want to be verified, you have to give them your Driver’s license and all that. There is an intelligence gathering element to it as well.

I’m not on any social media now after the last 4 years. This is the only page I comment on, because I actually believe that this page is full of people, and not Intel Op Running Creeps.

TommyTheMadArtist posted on 2021-01-10 09:16:09   Reply   Private Reply

#18: Lod    To: TommyTheMadArtist (#17)

Thanks for that information, but since I never joined FB or Twitter or any online social media, I won't be joining Parler either.

Lod posted on 2021-01-10 12:23:22   Reply   Private Reply