Parler, the social media platform that was taken down this month as part of a wide-ranging crackdown by Big Tech, has reappeared online with a one-page message vowing to soon have its service back up and running. Parler vanished from the internet when dropped by Amazon Inc’s hosting arm and other partners for poor moderation after its users called for violence and posted videos glorifying the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. On Monday, Parler’s website was reachable again, though only with a message from its chief executive saying he was working to restore functionality.
The social network appears to have found that provider in DDos-Guard, an internet infrastructure services provider known for working with companies hosting controversial content, including 8kun (previously 8chan); it also supports Russian government sites, according to Reuters. DDoS-Guard’s web page lists an address in Scotland, under the title Cognitive Cloud LP. But, as infrastructure expert Ronald Guilmette told Reuters it’s actually owned by two men in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
What is Parler?
Parler, which was founded in 2018, is a social media network that styles itself as a “free speech-driven” space. The app has largely attracted US conservatives who disagree with rules around content on social media sites like Facebook Inc and Twitter Inc.Parler has had about 10.8 million installs globally from across the App Store and Google Play, 8.7 million of those from the United States, according to Sensor Tower data. In January, it said it has over 12 million registered users.
Source: PCMag,Rueters
