Apple and Google take action against Parler after violent threats
Google exposed the app. Apple threatened to remove them this week – the app – a Twitter alternative popular with Donald Trump supporters and the right-wing – was re-examined for its role in planning the attacks.
On Friday, pressure grew on Apple and Google to remove them from their stores, Google has suspended Parler from the Play Store, citing “continuation of publication in Parler app intended to spark ongoing violence in the US”.
To ensure user safety on Google Play, apps that display user-generated content must be protected under our long-standing guidelines for moderation and enforcement, which remove monstrous content such as violent posts.
All developers agree to these terms and conditions, and we have reminded Parler that we understand that the Parler app will continue to publish posts that are intended to lead to ongoing violence in the United States.
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We recognize that there can be reasonable debates about content policies and that apps can find it difficult to remove them right away, but in order for us to distribute an app on Google Play, apps must implement robust moderation for monstrous content. In light of this ongoing and urgent threat to public safety, we are suspending the app’s listings in the Play Store until then.
With the lock, Parler is no longer available in Google Play, even though people who previously installed the app will continue to use it can. Apple also threatened a ban if the company does not control violent threats. Apple emailed Parler CEO John Matze saying “Parler is not moderating or removing content that encourages illegal activity,” reported BuzzFeed News. hours to create a “moderation improvement plan.” Matze has previously said that he disagrees with the moderation practices of other platforms.
“Apparently, they believe that Parler is responsible for ALL user-generated content on Parler,” Matze wrote in a reply posted on Parler. “By the same logic, therefore, Apple should be held accountable for ALL actions taken by its phones.”
Parler, who gained popularity after the November elections when Twitter and Facebook cracked down on electoral disinformation, has been criticized for his role in the violence in DC this week, the letter that he had “received numerous complaints regarding objectionable content on his Parler service, allegations that the Parler app was used to plan, coordinate and facilitate illegal activities in Washington D. On January 6, 2021, which led (among other things) to loss of life, numerous injuries, and destruction of property. ”
Users have also turned to the app in the days after the riots to make violent and disturbing threats about plans futures.
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Screenshots of people who called for “firing squads” and threatened an armed reaction to Joe Biden’s inauguration were circulating on Twitter, as well as calls to Apple and Google to ban the app. (In particular, Twitter cited “plans for future armed protests” in its decision to permanently suspend Trump.
When pressed by the New York Times this week, Matze, who has criticized the “censorship” of Twitter and Facebook in the past, repeatedly insisted that he had not observed Parler users using the app for illegal purposes. the law, violating our terms of service or doing something illegal, we would definitely get involved, “said Matze.”
But if people are just trying to get together or are trying to organize an event … there is nothing particularly wrong with that. “Parler did not respond to a request for comment.
As The Verge points out, both companies have withdrawn apps associated with the far right in the past. The chat app Gab was removed from Google Play for hate speech in 2017 and Apple started Alex Jones. ‘InfoWars app in 2018 (Google removed the app last year for spreading misinformation about coronavirus).
Engadged / TechConflict.Com