The next Parler? What to know about this Twitter alternative
Social media has never been more popular, and new platforms seem to be launched often. Not all of them make it past the initial release, though. Take Parler as an example. Beyond the flurry of new users at launch, it was eventually pulled from various app stores.
Billing itself as an alternative to Twitter, it was created based on liberty and free speech, offering community-regulated policies. But Parler was accused of promoting the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots before being pulled from mainstream app stores.
Is there a place online for a platform focused on free speech? Read on to see why this new Twitter alternative thinks so.
Here’s the backstory
You might not have heard about it, but Gettr recently gained 1 million users thanks to podcast host Joe Rogan. Looking beyond Parler and Twitter, the microblogging site strikingly resembles the latter.
It has a similar feed where you can scroll through posts of people you follow. The same as Twitter, you can also comment, like, or share any particular post. But some differences set it apart:
- The character limit is 777, as opposed to Twitter’s 280.
- Has sharper and clearer images.
- Ability to post videos up to 3 minutes long. Twitter only allows for 140 seconds.
- Users can live-stream for up to an hour.
- You can attach up to six images per post, where Twitter only allows for four.
- Features a verification system, similar to Twitter.
One significant difference: it’s the brainchild and creation of former President Trump adviser Jason Miller.
Miller was the chief spokesman for the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign. He also served as vice-president at the advertising firm Jamestown Associates and left his position as Trump’s spokesman to focus on Gettr.
The platform’s About section explains that Gettr “champions free speech, rejects cancel-culture, and promotes an uplifting, inspiring platform for all.” It also claims to be the “fastest-growing social media platform in history” by reaching a million users a few days after launch. It recently hit 3 million users.
What you can do about it
Political agendas aside, the platform aligns itself closer to Parler than Twitter. Where the latter has taken steps in the past to mute, suspend, or ban users, Gettr aims to “combat censorship and give back freedom of speech to online users.”
If you had a Parler account, you need to remove it now
Facebook is the largest social media site in the world, with billions of monthly users. It’s also been subject to network outages, data breaches and shady privacy practices. More recently, Facebook has come under fire for putting growth above online safety and allowing misinformation to propagate on the platform.
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When it comes to apps, there’s plenty to choose from. Whether you’re using an Android device or an iOS phone or tablet, you have options for productivity apps, entertainment apps, sleep apps or even meditation apps.
Not all are destined to stay in the app stores for long, though. Both Google and Apple are known to remove apps that are problematic or violate their terms of service. Both Apple and Google pulled the social media app Parler recently, too.
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Hacker exposes 99% of Parler messages and posts, including location data
To say Parler has had an eventful week would be the understatement of the year. First, Apple and Google booted it from their app stores. Then, an Amazon subsidiary deactivated the app, so you can’t find it anywhere.
Why Parler is down and not expected to come back anytime soon
If you weren’t familiar with the social networking app Parler a few days ago, you probably at least know it by name now. Founded in 2018, it was launched as an alternative to other social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Why Parler was removed from Apple and Google's app stores
A battle over online speech is raging. Social media app Parler is down and not expected to come back anytime soon. Before Amazon cut hosting for the Twitter alternative, it was removed from Apple and Google’s app stores. Aside from the app, you could also access Parler on the web. Its site is down, too.
Parler: What is it, and is it for you?
Our 2020 Presidential Election proved one thing: America is split half conservative, half liberal.
The conservative half is fed up with Twitter and moving on. These users are tired of Twitter’s algorithms and corporate management regulating speech on its platform.
How to ditch Facebook's algorithm and see the posts YOU want to see
Most of us have a love-hate relationship with Facebook. It’s been an easy way to keep in touch with friends and family during the pandemic, but it can be frustrating to deal with the platform itself.
Facebook has had its share of controversies and security issues over the last few years, making us wary of using it. That’s not the only issue, though. Facebook can also frustrate you because it also has tight control over any content posted to its platform — including what posts you’ll see on your News Feed.
Parler: Your guide to the 'free speech' social network
Debates about free speech on the web are as old as the internet itself. But due to rapid changes in public discourse and opinion, not everyone is sure as to where free speech applies online.
Per the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Congress shall make no law “…prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech.” Of course, this applies to the government making rules about speech, not businesses and the platforms they own. Tap or click here to explore a high-resolution digital edition of the U.S. Constitution.