Social media app popular with conservatives in the US, Parler, returns to Google’s Play store – National

Parlera popular social media app with WE conservatives, are returning to Google’s app store more than 1-1/2 years after Alphabet Inc-owned GOOGL.O removed it following riots in the US Congress in January year 2021.

The app was launched in 2018 and is shaping up to be a free speech space for those looking for an alternative to platforms like Twitter TWTR.N. It quickly gained interest from supporters of former US President Donald Trump.

However, major technology platforms have severed ties with Parler because of their failure to control the violent content that led to the attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters.

A Google spokesperson said the app is currently being restored after taking a series of measures to moderate content on the platform, including features to block abusive users and remove content that may incite violence. force.

Parler has significantly modified its app to comply with Play Store policies and will be available for download from Friday, the spokesperson added.

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Christina Cravens, Parler’s chief marketing officer, said: “Parler has a strong commitment to free speech and, despite its monopolistic market, is working to provide options and options to millions of voices today. are being censored or persecuted based on their views,” said Christina Cravens, marketing director at Parler.

To be sure, Parler made its app available for Android phones through a separate downloadable version on its website after it was removed from the Play Store.

Apple Inc AAPL.O restored the app on its App Store last May.

(Reporting by Eva Mathews in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)