Parler, a social media app popular among U.S. conservatives, is returning to Google’s app store more than a year and a half after the Alphabet Inc.-owned company removed it following the January 2021 U.S. Capitol riots.
The app debuted in 2018 as a free-speech platform for those looking for an alternative to platforms like Twitter. It quickly grew in popularity among supporters of former US President Donald Trump.
However, major tech platforms severed ties with Parler for failing to police violent content that led to the Trump supporters’ attack on the US Capitol.
According to a Google spokesperson, the app has been reinstated after it implemented a series of measures to moderate content on the platform, including features to block abusive users and remove content that could incite violence.
According to the spokesperson, Parler has significantly modified its app to comply with Play Store policies and will be available for download on Friday.
“Despite the market duopoly, Parler is working to provide options and choices for the millions of voices currently being censored or suppressed based on their viewpoint,” said Christina Cravens, Parler’s marketing chief.
To be sure, after being removed from the Play Store, Parler made its app available for Android phones via a separate version that could be downloaded from its website.
In May of last year, Apple Inc. reinstated the app on its App Store.
