Apple followed though on its warning to remove Parler from the App Store this weekend. Google already banned the social-networking app from the Android software store, and Amazon is cutting off Parler’s cloud-hosting service.
The bans follow accusations that rioters used Parler to plan the attack on the U.S. Capitol last week.
Apple sent an email to the social-networking service on Friday that said, in part, “We have received numerous complaints regarding objectionable content in your Parler service, accusations that the Parler app was used to plan, coordinate, and facilitate the illegal activities in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021 that led (among other things) to loss of life, numerous injuries, and the destruction of property.”
Apple told the social-networking service it must either begin moderating “dangerous and harmful” comments posted by users or its application would be removed from the App Store.
The app has since been removed, as John Matze, CEO of Parler, angrily denied Apple’s request.
Google and Amazon boot Parler, too
Google moved more quickly than Apple, as it didn’t offer a warning. On Friday, it pulled the Android version of Parler from Google Play.
And those are likely minor challenges compared to Amazon’s decision to stop allowing Parler to use Amazon Web Services. The social-networking service depends on AWS, but Amazon informed Parler on Saturday that numerous posts on the site calling for the violent overthrow of the U.S. government violated its terms of service. Amazon plans to cut off the service Sunday night.
Matze said Parler will be offline for as much as a week while the company moves to another hosting service. He called the move by Apple, Google and Amazon “a coordinated attack by the tech giants to kill competition in the market place.”
Federal law allows businesses to refuse service to any person or company for any reason. The only exceptions are if the business discriminates on the grounds of religion, sex, etc.
