# New-ish "free speech" app, Parler **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 9, 2020, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109 "2020-11-09T03:40:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/281 "2021-01-12T02:45:19Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > “Think of “Parler” as a Christian bakery, and then think of Trump as a Gay wedding cake.” LOL That would only be a reasonable analogy if the Christian baker refused to bake the cake, then called the other bakers and got them to refuse to bake the cake, then grocery stores refused to sell baking supplies to the gay couple, then Visa snd Mastercard canceled their accounts. When Twitter and facebook started banning speech on the right, people on the left responded to complaints with, 'wahhh! It’s not the government, so it’s not a violation of free speech. If you don’t like Twitter’s service, start your own." Then Parler did exactly that, spending millions to do so, and now finds itself without a cloud provider, payment provider, authentication provider… And if they decided to spend a billion dollars and build those services on their own, Google can still shut them down any time it wants to - and probably will. All this was done because they apparently found 80 or so messages on Parler calling for violence. At the same time, “Hang Mike Pence” was trending on Twitter. The cancellation of the AWS contract is way over the line. AWS isn’t social media. It’s not a public space. it is a core piece of the internet’s infrastructure. There is no reason why it should be protected by section 230, and Parler is suing them for antitrust and violation of their contract, which requires 30 days’s notice of cancellation. Parler is suing for treble damages. And if it turns out there was coordination between all these services to shut down Parler, they are engaging in racketeering and restraint of trade, and likely in violation of the Sherman antitrust act. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/282 "2021-01-12T02:50:06Z")
Do you have a cite that it was coordinated? I think Trump just became so toxic that they all decided to cut their losses and move on. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/283 "2021-01-12T02:51:11Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > {…} At the same time, “Hang Mike Pence” was trending on Twitter. {…} Boy, if only we could figure out just why “Hang Mike Pence” is trending I’m sure it would tell us a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/284 "2021-01-12T02:54:14Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > At the same time, “Hang Mike Pence” was trending on Twitter. what steps did Twitter take to respond to that? because that is part of what Apple and Google are saying: that they won’t provide the app because Parler won’t provide an automated moderation program, unlike Twitter. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/285 "2021-01-12T02:56:10Z")
Looks like Twitter blocked the phrase: > **['Hang Mike Pence': Twitter stops phrase trending after Capitol riot](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/10/hang-mike-pence-twitter-stops-phrase-trending-capitol-breach)** > > Chant was heard in the US Capitol on Wednesday as pro-Trump mob, incited by the president, stormed the building So, what steps was Parler taking to stop similar things from circulating on their webservice? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/286 "2021-01-12T03:23:42Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > If the app is not being hosted by app stores they can never update it or grow it further, and that will kill it, even if they find hosting in Russia or somewhere. This is the world’s smallest record player, playing _My Heart Bleeds for You._ err _Them._ Good riddance to bad trash. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/287 "2021-01-12T03:26:42Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > The cancellation of the AWS contract is way over the line. AWS isn’t social media. It’s not a public space. it is a core piece of the internet’s infrastructure. There is no reason why it should be protected by section 230, and Parler is suing them for antitrust and violation of their contract, which requires 30 days’s notice of cancellation. Parler is suing for treble damages. That seems to be incorrect in toto [Here is the ToS for AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/agreement/). It looks quite succinct for such an agreement. > [@](#): > > #### 6. Temporary Suspension. > > 6.1 Generally. We may suspend your or any End User’s right to access or use any portion or all of the Service Offerings immediately upon notice to you if we determine: > > (a) your or an End User’s use of the Service Offerings (i) poses a security risk to the Service Offerings or any third party, (ii) could adversely impact our systems, the Service Offerings or the systems or Content of any other AWS customer, (iii) could subject us, our affiliates, or any third party to liability, or (iv) could be fraudulent; > > (b) you are, or any End User is, in breach of this Agreement … I think the “security risk to any third party” is what they are applying here. > [@](#): > > 7.2 Termination. > > (a) Termination for Convenience. You may terminate this Agreement for any reason by providing us notice and closing your account for all Services for which we provide an account closing mechanism. We may terminate this Agreement for any reason by providing you at least 30 days’ advance notice. > 7.2 Termination > … (b) Termination for Cause. > … (ii) By Us. We may also terminate this Agreement immediately upon notice to you (A) for cause if we have the right to suspend under Section 6 … No notice is required if they find the other party in violation. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/288 "2021-01-12T12:49:04Z")
AWS is not a core piece of internet infrastructure. There are numerous large server farms out there. Tellingly, _none_ of them want to do business with Parler (according to their CEO). Nobody has an obligation to provide a server farm to, or do any business with, a company that facilitates domestic terrorism. The very idea that this would be controversial shows just how far the right has fallen. There is no bottom seemingly. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/289 "2021-01-12T13:02:05Z")
They all think that they’re _this_ close to getting Everything They Ever Wanted; they’re not gonna slow down now. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/290 "2021-01-12T13:24:07Z")
Funny how a violent attempt to overthrow democratically elected government changes things, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/291 "2021-01-12T13:29:35Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > All this was done because they apparently found 80 or so messages on Parler calling for violence. What, in your opinion, is the number of threats of violence that should be allowed? ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/292 "2021-01-12T13:36:53Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > When Twitter and facebook started banning speech on the right… This right here is false. They didn’t ban speech on the right. They banned threats to democracy and calls for violence. They banned the accounts of people who threatened democracy and called for violence. You can spend all day advocating for a weaker central government, calling for abortion restrictions or making it illegal, pushing for lower taxes and a weaker social safety net, calling for lower regulations and elimination of trade barriers, advocating for public funding of religious schools or elimination of public schools, calling for a stronger army, you name it. What you can’t do, on the right or the left, is call for the murder of your opponents or the overthrow of the country. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/293 "2021-01-12T13:44:43Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > AWS is not a core piece of internet infrastructure Sidebar, please: AWS is what? ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/294 "2021-01-12T13:45:25Z")
Amazon Web Services. > **[Cloud Computing Services - Amazon Web Services (AWS)](https://aws.amazon.com/)** > > Amazon Web Services offers reliable, scalable, and inexpensive cloud computing services. Free to join, pay only for what you use. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/295 "2021-01-12T13:45:55Z")
Thank you. I try to keep up with Tech-speak, but it’s a struggle. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/296 "2021-01-12T13:46:30Z")
Given how much you’ve informed me on legal issues in Canada, it is my sincere pleasure. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/297 "2021-01-12T13:48:01Z")
: blush : ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/298 "2021-01-12T15:04:15Z")
My best guess as to the next gathering place of the middle managers, small business owners, and other MAGATY members of the petit bourgeois to plot sedition and treason is LinkedIn. Just a hunch. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/299 "2021-01-12T15:28:50Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > This right here is false. They didn’t ban speech on the right. They banned threats to democracy and calls for violence. They banned the accounts of people who threatened democracy and called for violence. The crazy thing is that the political right seem to think that these threats should not be banned, because apparently they are _part of their platform now._ This is what is confusing them. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109/300 "2021-01-12T15:35:19Z")
I know! Twitter says they are banning hate speech, anti-Semitism, and racist posts and Republicans get all up in arms about it. I guess one person’s hate speech is another person’s ticket to the Senate or something. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ish-free-speech-app-parler/925109.md?page=16)