Parler to Be Brought Back to App Store by Apple Following Ban After US Capitol Violence

Parler has proposed updates to its app and content moderation policy that would lead to it being reinstated.

Advertisement
By Reuters | Updated: 20 April 2021 10:30 IST
Highlights
  • Major tech platforms cut ties with Parler following the Capitol attack
  • Apple's letter said the updated Parler app would be available immediately
  • Apple rejected about 30,000 apps from the App Store in 2020

Parler went dark for about a month after Amazon suspended web-hosting services

Apple will bring social media app Parler, favored by US conservatives, back to its App Store after the iPhone maker pulled it following the deadly January 6 US 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.

Major tech platforms cut ties with Parler following the attack by supporters of Republican former President Donald Trump at the Capitol that left five people dead.

Advertisement

They accused the app, which is backed by prominent Republican Party donor Rebekah Mercer, of failing to police violent content on its service.

Advertisement

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 and Twitter, had made to the app or its moderation.

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

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

Apple declined to comment. Parler did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The letter, which was first reported by CNN, was addressed to two Republican lawmakers, Senator Mike Lee and Representative Ken Buck, who last month wrote to big tech CEOs questioning their actions over Parler.

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.

Amazon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

© Thomson Reuters 2021
 


Is OnePlus 9R old wine in a new bottle — or something more? We discussed this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Later (starting at 23:00), we talk about the new OnePlus Watch. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
 

Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2026 hub.

Further reading: Apple, Parler, iPhone, App Store
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Oppo Reno 15 Pro Max, Reno 15 Pro Launched Globally Alongside Reno 15
  2. Beauty (2025) OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch it Online?
  3. Here's How Much the Realme 16 Pro Series Could Cost in India
  4. An AI Pen? Jony Ive and OpenAI's Secret Hardware Project Details Leak
  5. Top OTT Releases of the Week: Stranger Things 5 Finale, Haq, Mowgli, and More
  6. TCL Note A1 Nxtpaper E-Note Launched at This Price to Rival Kindle Scribe
  7. NASA's Chandra Spots Champagne Cluster Formed by a Massive Galaxy Collision
  1. New Year 2026 Custom Greetings: 5 Best AI Prompts for ChatGPT, Gemini, and Other AI Tools
  2. NASA’s Chandra Spots Champagne Cluster Formed by a Massive Galaxy Collision
  3. NASA’s Curiosity Rover Sends Stunning Sunrise-and-Sunset Holiday Postcard from Mars
  4. Oppo Find X9s Key Specifications Leaked Again; Might Also Launch in India
  5. Redmi Turbo 5, Redmi Turbo 5 Pro to Be Equipped With Upcoming MediaTek Dimensity Chips, Tipster Claims
  6. Vivo V70 Presence on IMDA Certification Database Points to Imminent Release
  7. MediaTek Dimensity 7100 Chipset Launched For Mid-Ranged Phones, Brings Efficiency Gains
  8. JWST Reveals Powerful Winds and Dense Atmosphere on Scorching Exoplanet TOI-561b
  9. New Year 2026 Scam Alert: This WhatsApp Greeting Could Wipe Your Bank Account
  10. Apple Fitness+ Teaser Hints at New Features Coming in January 2026
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.