Parler is back online after a month of downtime [theverge.com]
The alternative social network Parler has reopened after a month offline. The company announced in a press release that the site is now accessible for users with existing accounts and will accept new signups starting next week. It’s also announced a new interim CEO: Mark Meckler, who previously cofounded the right-wing group Tea Party Patriots. The relaunch comes after Apple, Google, and Amazon suspended service in the wake of January’s attack on the US Capitol, citing violent threats on the platform. [theverge.com]
Old Parler user accounts have been restored, but old “parleys” — the site’s term for posts — don’t appear to have carried over. Some high-profile users, like Fox News host Sean Hannity, have begun posting on the new site already. The timelines for other major accounts, like fellow host Tucker Carlson or Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), remain empty. Many posts were previously archived by an outside researcher [theverge.com] who scraped them before its takedown.
[. . . .] The platform has now relaunched with what a press release calls “robust, sustainable, independent technology.” Parler transferred its domain registration [theverge.com] in January to Epik, a registrar known for providing a haven [npr.org] to “deplatformed” far-right-friendly sites.
However, Parler remains in an uncertain position. Apple and Google haven’t restored its app to their stores, and it’s still fighting an ongoing lawsuit against Amazon, [courtlistener.com] where a judge appeared unsympathetic to its claims. [theverge.com] Its previous CEO John Matze said he was fired [reuters.com] in early February, and the company is now “conducting a thorough search for a permanent CEO” who will replace Meckler. It’s also under scrutiny in Congress — where House Oversight Committee chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) has requested documents [theverge.com] on Parler’s financing and operations.
Also:
Parler announces its relaunch with Mark Meckler named as interim CEO a month after being shut down in the wake of the Capitol riots [dailymail.co.uk]
Parler relaunches under new CEO after free-speech site was deplatformed amid Capitol riot [usatoday.com]