Service to Parler, an unfiltered social media site favored by conservatives, was partially restored Sunday, a week after the site went offline after Amazon refused to continue hosting the site on its servers.
While the site’s social media features don’t appear to be functional, visitors to the site are now greeted by a message from Parler CEO John Matze.
“Now seems like the right time to remind you all – loved ones and haters alike – why we started this platform. We believe that privacy is paramount and freedom of expression is essential, especially on social media. Our goal is always has been to provide an impartial public square for individuals to enjoy and exercise their rights to both, “reads the January 16.” We will resolve any challenge ahead and plan to welcome you all again soon We will not let the civil argument perish! “
According to CNN, the website now appears to be hosted by Epik – a company that also hosts websites like messaging service Gab and the right-wing forum 8chan. Both sites have spawned and facilitated the spread of white supremacist views and conspiracy theories, such as QAnon.
In recent months, right-wing conservatives have flocked to Parler after claiming that traditional social media sites like Twitter and Facebook had gone too far in censoring users. Parler has called himself the “social network for free speech”.
However, Parler has also drawn conspiracy theorists and violent actors to the platform. Several reports have detailed how Parler users planned aspects of the January 6 attack on the platform.
BuzzFeed also reports that Parler users celebrated the January 6 riots in the days after Trump supporters breached the Capitol and that some encouraged a new rally in Washington for the day before Biden’s inauguration.
Matze has said it violates Parler’s Community Guidelines to “incite violence or other activities that violate the law.” Amazon is just the latest company to take steps to de-platform the social media site.
Last weekend, both Apple and Google prevented the site’s mobile app from being downloaded on their platforms.
In 2019, weeks after a mass shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue that killed 11 people, Amazon launched Gab – a social media app favored by far-right conservatives – after an investigation found the shooter posted anti-Semitic rants on the site .