Parler was launched in 2018 as a self-proclaimed free speech alternative to Twitter, catering to communities that believed they’ve been censored or marginalized. It had few rules or moderation controls and became a haven for people with extreme views. The social platform drew flak in January 2021 after word that people involved in the Capitol attack used it to coordinate. Apple and Google kicked Parler off their respective app stores until it improved moderation and kept out users inciting violence.
