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Conservative Voices Flock to Parler Amid Election Misinformation Claims

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Parler, an alternative social media platform, has seen a significant surge in users and conservative voices following the US election, with over 4.5 million new people signing up for accounts in the past week. The platform's CEO, John Matze, announced the influx of new users in a letter, citing the platform's commitment to free speech and transparency. Prominent conservative voices, including Fox News host Sean Hannity and radio personality Mark Levin, have active accounts on Parler, with many users following them onto the platform in response to actions taken by major social media platforms against election misinformation and false allegations of voter fraud.

Key Takeaways:

  • Parler, founded in 2018 by John Matze and Jared Thomson, bills itself as "unbiased social media" and a place where people can "speak freely and express yourself openly without fear of being 'deplatformed' for your views."
  • The platform has seen an influx of downloads following the US election, with Parler hitting the number one spot overall on Apple's US App Store among free apps.
  • More than 4.5 million new people signed up for accounts in the past week, according to a letter from Parler CEO Matze.
  • Prominent conservative voices, including Fox News host Sean Hannity and radio personality Mark Levin, have active accounts on Parler.
  • The platform has been criticized for its lack of content moderation and its rife with misinformation, including baseless allegations of voter fraud.
  • Parler's CEO, John Matze, has stated that the platform does not use any kind of content moderation.
  • The Anti-Defamation League has warned that Parler is attracting extremists, who are using the platform to promote radical viewpoints.
  • A virtual event on Facebook scheduled for Friday is spurring people to join alternative platforms, like Parler, with RSVPs topping 78,000 people.

Statistics:

  • Over 4.5 million new people signed up for Parler accounts in the past week (Parler CEO John Matze's letter).
  • Parler hit the number one spot overall on Apple's US App Store among free apps (Apptopia).
  • The platform has attracted prominent conservative voices, including Fox News host Sean Hannity and radio personality Mark Levin.
  • Over 78,000 people RSVP'd to a virtual event on Facebook scheduled for Friday, which is promoting an "exit" from Facebook and encouraging people to join alternative platforms like Parler.

Sources:

  • "Parler's CEO warns that the platform is attracting extremists" (CNN Business).
  • "Parler has seen an influx of downloads following the US election" (CNN Business).
  • "The Anti-Defamation League warns that Parler is attracting extremists" (CNN Business).
  • "Parler's CEO, John Matze, has stated that the platform does not use any kind of content moderation" (CNN Business).
  • "A virtual event on Facebook scheduled for Friday is spurring people to join alternative platforms, like Parler" (CNN Business).
  • "Parler's App Store description" (Apple App Store).
  • "Parler's website" (Parler website).
  • "A report released by the Anti-Defamation League on Thursday" (ADL report).
  • "A statement from Parler CEO John Matze" (Parler CEO's letter).

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