Google Pulls Parler as Apple Threatens the Same in Wake of Capitol Riot
Tech giants say some content hosted in app seeks to incite violence in violation of rules
Parler CEO John Matze said the social-media network believes its existing rules against incitements to violence meet Apple’s standards. Photo: Bridget Bennett for The Wall Street Journal By Updated Jan. 8, 2021 11:45 pm ET Alphabet Inc.’s Google late Friday suspended Parler, a free-speech focused social-media network favored by conservatives, from its app store, and Apple Inc. threatened to do the same in the wake of the U.S. Capitol riot.
Google said it acted because of “continued posting in the Parler app that seeks to incite ongoing violence in the U.S.,” which violated its requirements for sufficient moderation of egregious content for apps it distributes. A company representative said Parler would remain suspended until it addressed the issues “in light of
By Jeff Horwitz and Tim Higgins Alphabet Inc. s Google late Friday suspended Parler, a free-speech focused social-media network favored by conservatives, for failing to moderate incitements to violence and illegal activity, and Apple Inc. threatened to do the same. Google said it acted because of continued posting in the Parler app that seeks to incite ongoing violence in the U.S., which violated its requirements for sufficient moderation of egregious content for apps it distributes. 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, a Google representative said.