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Published 07:48 IST, January 11th 2021

Amazon to remove Parler from its web hosting service over violence encouraging posts

Parler is a less moderated social network and more conservative-friendly alternative to Facebook and Twitter; it's particularly popular among Trump supporters

Reported by: Bhavya Sukheja
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After Apple and Google, Amazon struck another blow and removed social media network Parler from its web hosting service for violating rules. According to CNN, Amazon has told Parler that it found 98 posts on the site to be encouraging violence. Now, as all the three major web hosting services have banned the app, Parler is set to go offline if it fails to find an alternative. 

Parler is a social network founded as a less moderated and more conservative-friendly alternative to Facebook and Twitter. The US microblogging site has a user base of conservatives, conspiracy theorists, and right-wing extremists. Launched in 2018, the app also has proved particularly popular among supporters of US President Donald Trump. 

In a letter, Amazon’s AWS Trust and Safety team told Parler’s Chief Policy Officer Amy Peikoff that the social network "does not have an effective process to comply with the AWS terms of service”. The letter further read that AWS provides technology and services to the company across the political spectrum and it will respect Parler’s right to determine for itself what content it will allow on its site. However, Amazon added that they cannot provide services to a customer that is unable to effectively identify and remove content that “encourages or incites violence against others”. 

READ: After Google, Apple Removes Parler From App Store

READ: Why Did Google Remove Parler App From Play Store? Is It Available On Apple App Store?

Trump’s Twitter account permanently suspended 

This comes after Twitter permanently suspended Trump’s account over the risk of ‘incitement of violence’. Twitter said that after assessing the tweets in the context of a violent storming of the Capitol on Wednesday, it determined that Trump’s tweets violated the firm’s ‘Glorification of Violence’ policy and constituted immediate removal from the platform. 

In a blog post, Twitter said, “After reviewing of Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them — how they are being received and interpreted on and off Twitter — we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence”. 

READ: Parler Suspended From Google Play Store Over Its Role In The US Capitol Siege

READ: Parler Squeezed As Trump Seeks New Online Megaphone

07:48 IST, January 11th 2021