Apple announced in a letter to Republicans on the House and Senate antitrust subcommittees
That the free speech social media app Parler can return to its app store. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) had previously written to Google, Apple and Amazon to seek clarity regarding actions taken to remove Parler.
Their March letter noted:
In just three days, Apple and Google effectively cut off Parler’s primary distribution channel, and Amazon cut off Parler’s access to critical computing services, leaving the company completely unable to serve its 15 million users. These actions were against a company that is not alleged to have violated any law. In fact, information provided by Parler to the House Oversight Committee revealed that Parler was assisting law enforcement even in advance of January 6th.
Though Parler had moved its website to new servers in February, its app has yet to be reinstated by either Apple or Google. As of April 14, Apple noted Parler has been approved to be reinstated. The new Parler app will be immediately available as soon as Parler releases it.
Apple also noted it “did not coordinate or otherwise consult with Google or Amazon” regarding its decision to remove Parler from the App Store. They argued Parler’s failure to comply with their guidelines was the reason for their decision.
In some ways, the response is a refreshing sign of some progress on behalf of conservatives. However, the damage has been done. Millions of American conservatives were silenced from social media overnight because of the combined efforts of Amazon, Apple and Google.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has argued social media companies should be treated as utilities rather than as private companies. This would require companies like Apple or Google to allow free speech based on constitutional grounds rather than under the community guidelines of their respective companies.
Thomas added, however, that to do so would need to take place at the legislative level. In other words, don’t hold your breath hoping it will happen while Democrats are in power. This is the same group that supported Trump’s impeachment, even after he was no longer president, in addition to cheering his removal from social media.
But Parler’s soon return to the Apple App Store holds out some hope for the future. Conservatives will once again have a space to communicate. The concern will be what level of trust users have on Parler’s platform.
If users return only to find themselves cut off again after another conservative backlash with Apple or others, then what? This is why Trump and others are at work to create their own social media platforms outside of Apple and Google. Though these two tech giants control the App market, they may soon face more conservative competition.
Competition appears to be a good thing in this case. When conservatives have faced adversity before from liberal media, creating alternatives has often been a win.
Think Rush Limbaugh for talk radio or Fox News for cable TV. Maybe Parler will become the social media equivalent. If not, someone else will. Conservatives will find a new place to call home, allowing free speech to once again be truly free.
