Description
Parler is an American alt-tech microblogging and social networking company. Parler's services have a significant user base of Donald Trump supporters, conservatives, conspiracy theorists, and right-wing extremists. Posts on the service often contain far-right content, antisemitism, and conspiracy theories such as QAnon. Journalists have described Parler as an alternative to Twitter, and users include those banned from mainstream social networks or opposing their moderation policies.
Launched in August 2018, Parler markets itself as a free speech and unbiased alternative to mainstream social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. However, journalists have criticized this as being a cover for its far-right userbase. Journalists and users have also criticized the service for content policies that are more restrictive than the company portrays and sometimes more restrictive than those of its competitors. Some left-wing users have been banned from Parler for challenging the prevailing viewpoints on the site, criticizing Parler, or creating parody accounts.
Parler has not publicly disclosed the identities of its owners besides founder John Matze. Rebekah Mercer, an investor known for her contributions to conservative individuals and organizations, is a co-founder of the company, and conservative political commentator Dan Bongino has said he is an owner. As of November 2020, according to Parler, the service had about 4 million active users and over 10 million total users. User activity peaked after the 2020 United States presidential election that month and fell again in December.
After complaints that Parler was used to coordinate the 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol, Parler's suppliers canceled their services. Apple and Google removed Parler's mobile app from their app stores. Parler went offline on January 10, 2021, after Amazon Web Services canceled its hosting services.
