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Apple Takes Back Social Media Platform Parler to App Store
20 Apr, 2021 / 03:56 pm / OMNES Media LLC

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Apple Inc will bring social media app Parler, favored by U.S conservatives, back to its App Store after the iPhone maker pulled it following the deadly Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot, according to a letter sent to two Republican lawmakers.

The letter, obtained by Reuters, said that after substantial conversations with Parler, the app had proposed updates to its app and content moderation policy that would lead to it being reinstated.

It was not clear what changes that Parler, which has styled itself as a free-speech space for those seeking an alternative to major platforms like Facebook Inc  and Twitter , had made to the app or its moderation.

Parler went dark for about a month after Amazon.com Inc  suspended web-hosting services, saying the app had failed to effectively moderate violent content. Apple and Alphabet Inc's Google removed it from their app stores.

Parler returned online in February with Los Angeles-based private cloud infrastructure SkySilk. Its CEO John Matze was fired by the board. Parler also sued Amazon, accusing it of trying to destroy its business. 

Apple's letter said the updated Parler app would be available immediately upon Parler releasing it.

The letter, was first reported by CNN. Apple said in the letter it rejected about 30,000 apps from the App Store in 2020 due to problematic user-generated content.

It said it made an independent decision to remove Parler for not complying with its guidelines and did not coordinate or consult with Google or Amazon.

A Google spokesperson said Parler has been available on Android because of the openness of the platform even if it isn't currently distributed through Google Play.

"As we stated back in January, Parler is welcome back in the Play Store once it submits an app that complies with our policies," the spokesperson said, adding that Parler has not submitted an updated version of its Android app till now.

Source- Reuters