After Enable Moderation And More Sopando, Parler Now Appears Again On The Play Store

JAKARTA - Parler, a popular social media app among US conservatives, returned to Google's app store after more than a year and a half, after the Alphabet Inc-owned company removed it. The app was removed from the Play Store following riots at the US Capitol Building in January 2021.

The app launched in 2018 and declared itself a free speech space for those seeking alternative platforms like Twitter. The app quickly gained traction from supporters of former US President Donald Trump.

However, major tech platforms cut ties with Parler for failing to monitor violent content that led to attacks on the US Capitol by Trump supporters.

This app is now being restored after taking a series of actions to moderate content on the platform, including a feature to block abusive users and remove content that could trigger violence, a Google spokesperson said.

Parler has modified its app substantially to comply with the Play Store policy and will be available for download starting Friday, the spokesperson added.

"Parlers have a strong commitment to free speech and despite market duopoli, working to provide options and options for millions of votes that are currently censored or suppressed based on their point of view," said Christina Cravens, Parler's head of marketing.

To be sure, Parler has made its app available to Android phones through a separate version that can be downloaded on its website after being removed from the Play Store. Apple Inc also reactivated this app on the App Store in May last year.