Google Removes Parler From Play Store Over Violent Content
Google pulls the pro-Trump social media app Parler from its Play Store due to a lack of content moderation following the U.S. Capitol riot. The tech giant states the app fails to remove posts that incite violence.
Google removes Parler, a social media app popular with Trump supporters, from the Google Play Store, making it much harder for Android users to download the software. Google states that it requires social media apps to maintain content moderation policies that remove posts inciting violence, and warns that Parler fails to meet these standards.
This removal follows the violent riot at the U.S. Capitol and occurs alongside similar actions from other tech giants, as Twitter permanently bans President Donald Trump and Facebook blocks his accounts. Screenshots show Parler users posting violent threats, including references to firing squads and calls to bring weapons to the upcoming presidential inauguration.
Although the app disappears from the official store, Android users still have technical options like alternative app stores or side-loading to manually install the software. Furthermore, the app remains on the phones of current users and is accessible via web browser, though Parler faces imminent removal from the Apple App Store as well.