Apple Removes Parler From App Store Due to 'Inadequate' Measures to Address Dangerous Content

[MacRumors]

Apple today confirmed that it has chosen to suspend Parler from the App Store, stating that the self-described "non-biased, free speech social media" app has failed to take "adequate measures to address the proliferation" of "threats to people's safety." Apple said there is "no place on our platform for threats of violence and illegal activity," and noted that Parler will remain unavailable on the App Store until if and when these issues are resolved.

Apple's full statement, issued to MacRumors:

We have always supported diverse points of view being represented on the App Store, but there is no place on our platform for threats of violence and illegal activity. Parler has not taken adequate measures to address the proliferation of these threats to people's safety. We have suspended Parler from the App Store until they resolve these issues.

Apple first sent Parler a letter on Friday morning stating that it had received "numerous complaints regarding objectionable content" within the app, and accusations that the Parler app was "used to plan, coordinate, and facilitate the illegal activities in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021," referring to the riot at the United States Capitol that resulted in the loss of life, injuries, and the destruction of property.

Apple said Parler "appears to continue to be used to plan and facilitate yet further illegal and dangerous activities," and provided the app with 24 hours notice to submit an update and "moderation improvement plan," or face removal from the App Store. In a subsequent letter sent to Parler, Apple now says that "the processes Parler has put in place to moderate or prevent the spread of dangerous and illegal content have proved insufficient."

According to Apple, Parler said that it has been taking harmful content "very seriously for weeks" and was planning to implement moderation efforts "for the time being," but Apple said a temporary "task force" is "not a sufficient response given the widespread proliferation of harmful content," leading to Parler being suspended today.

Apple's second letter to Parler in full:

To the developers of the Parler app,

Thank you for your response regarding dangerous and harmful content on Parler. We have determined that the measures you describe are inadequate to address the proliferation of dangerous and objectionable content on your app.

Parler has not upheld its commitment to moderate and remove harmful or dangerous content encouraging violence and illegal activity, and is not in compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines.

In your response, you referenced that Parler has been taking this content "very seriously for weeks." However, the processes Parler has put in place to moderate or prevent the spread of dangerous and illegal content have proved insufficient. Specifically, we have continued to find direct threats of violence and calls to incite lawless action in violation of Guideline 1.1 - Safety - Objectionable Content.

Your response also references a moderation plan "for the time being," which does not meet the ongoing requirements in Guideline 1.2 - Safety - User Generated content. While there is no perfect system to prevent all dangerous or hateful user content, apps are required to have robust content moderation plans in place to proactively and effectively address these issues. A temporary "task force" is not a sufficient response given the widespread proliferation of harmful content.

For these reasons, your app will be removed from the App Store until we receive an update that is compliant with the App Store Review Guidelines and you have demonstrated your ability to effectively moderate and filter the dangerous and harmful content on your service.

Regards,
App Review Board

Parler remains available to users who already installed the app on their device.

Update: Amazon Web Services also plans to suspend Parler's account effective Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, stating that the app "poses a very real risk to public safety" in violation of its terms of service, according to an email obtained by BuzzFeed News. "Amazon's suspension of Parler's account means that unless it can find another host, once the ban takes effect on Sunday Parler will go offline," the report explains.

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Article Link: Apple Removes Parler From App Store Due to 'Inadequate' Measures to Address Dangerous Content

 

[mozumder]

Good start. Silence their voices. Apple should look at banning Facebook as well.

These people are the real enemies of America. Remember, they don't believe in your right to vote, because they do not believe in Democracy: the idea that your vote should be allowed to determine your government. Democracy is the central idea of the US government.

They have yet to explain why your vote is supposed to be erased.

MAGA violence is going to increase, not decrease. Trump never actually disavowed his "incitement of insurrection". Expect more attacks from these terrorists.

It's extremely important to control these people's speech. They are under the mistaken impression that they have unlimited free speech.

You do not have a right to unlimited free speech. There are a hundred limits on speech, from copyright to sedition. People need to understand that, and Apple is well within their right to limit speech. Twitter did a great post analyzing his language and his incitement of insurrection, when they banned him.

At this point, the conservative movement must be decisively destroyed before they bring more harm to Americans, and I commend Apple for beginning that process.

 

[elie.fares]

Good riddance.

 

[ouimetnick]

Well I was JUST able to download it for the first time, so they didn’t do a very good job ?

 

[Sirobin]

Not surprising. When their whole concept is based on not censoring anything, hard to completely change over night.

 

[Attirex]

Thread locked in 3...2....

 

[neuropsychguy]

I support this move but there are inconsistencies in application of Apple's actions in cases like this. Will Apple remove iMessage and Safari? Both allow for the proliferation of threats to people's safety. One could even argue using Apple's rationale that some agency needs to be able to moderate iMessages (e.g., a backdoor into the encryption). That would be unacceptable but is essentially the argument a number of governments and law enforcement agencies make.

Again, Apple is well within their rights to do this and I support this removal.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Good.

Parler is more of a danger to the United States than any sort of argument that the right can make up about Apple "censoring" anything.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

Should have nuked it from everyone's phone as well.

 

[Realityck]

CNBC is reporting Amazon employees demanding company drop Parler after Capitol Riot

That would disable cloud services to Parler

 

[GCHASE1995]

This is going to be good.

 

[kcslc]

Good. I support apple on this.

 

[kaycrystal626]

Good choice Apple!

 

[DocPenguin]

Cool. Let me know when they ban the Twitter app. I've seen plenty of calls for violence by radical leftists on there. We wouldn't want Apple to progress inequality.

 

[helmsc]

Well I was JUST able to download it for the first time, so they didn’t do a very good job ?

Parler or Parlor? There is a difference.

 

[ozziegn]

Good. All social media should have the power to censor anyone who doesn't agree with the Democratic/liberal way(s) of thinking.

Isn't life going to be just grand...

 

[walex19]

Love love love love love it!!!

 

[Erehy Dobon]

Maybe they can move the discussion to MySpace? No one's using that!

 

[Nicky G]

YES!!! Screw Parler and the disgusting fascists who were rejected from the rest of social media and were forced to use it (the reason it was released, let's remember).

 

[ouimetnick]

Cool. Let me know when they ban the Twitter app. I've seen plenty of calls for violence by radical leftists on there. We wouldn't want Apple to progress inequality.

Twitter and FaceBook have policies in place against that. (Not that they do a great job enforcing it) But Parker has no such policy, thus the reason for removal.

 

[Kylo83]

Disgusting work apple, why not remove twitter with people like the leader of Iran threatening to wipe israel off the map, all social media has bad on it, they really are banning all freedom of speech of any conservatives; all what is left is the radical left, it’s not healthy to only hear one side

 

[kcslc]

Cool. Let me know when they ban the Twitter app. I've seen plenty of calls for violence by radical leftists on there. We wouldn't want Apple to progress inequality.

Proof? And did you report the offensive tweets to Twitter? Or did you just come here to complain?

 

[movieator]

Cool. Let me know when they ban the Twitter app. I've seen plenty of calls for violence by radical leftists on there. We wouldn't want Apple to progress inequality.

Twitter is also a hell-hole, but they’ll be fine. Why?
Because unlike Parler they at least, no matter how half-assed it is, moderate their platform.

 

[Kylo83]

YES!!! Screw Parler and the disgusting fascists who were rejected from the rest of social media and were forced to use it (the reason it was released, let's remember).

The only fascists are the ones blocking free speech, anyone supporting censorship is out of order and wrong

 

[ProVideo]

Where will Lin Wood go to tell rioters to shoot and hang Mike Pence now?