Google removes conservative app Parler from Play Store

In their collective fight against US President Donald Trump, Google has taken down Parler, a social media app for conservatives and far-right extremists, from its Play Store. Parler did not comment on its ban from the Google platform. Parler is touted as a free-speech alternative, allowing posts that include conspiracy theories, threats, and hate speech, among other things, to remain on the platform.

San Francisco:The tech giant acted after it found that Parler did not take stronger action to remove posts that sought "to incite ongoing violence" in the US, reports Axios.

"We're aware of continued posting in the Parler app that seeks to incite ongoing violence in the US," Google said in a statement late on Jan 8.

"In light of this ongoing and urgent public safety threat, we are suspending the app's listings from the Play Store until it addresses these issues".

Parler did not comment on its ban from the Google platform.

Apple has also given an ultimatum to Parler to moderate its app or be removed.

Parler CEO John Matze responded to Apple's threats, saying the company would "not cave to pressure from anti-competitive actors!"

The app was still available on Apple's App Store.

Parler is touted as a free-speech alternative, allowing posts that include conspiracy theories, threats, and hate speech, among other things, to remain on the platform.

Social media giants Twitter and Facebook have banned Trump from their platforms, citing the "risk of further incitement of violence".

(Inputs from IANS)