Google has banned Parler from its app store for failing to remove violent content

• Google has banned Parler from the Play Store for allowing content "that seeks to incite ongoing violence in the US," a spokesperson told Business Insider on Friday.
• "In light of this ongoing and urgent public safety threat, we are suspending the app's listings from the Play Store until it addresses these issues," Google told Parler.
• Google said it had reminded Parler of its policies recently, which "require that apps displaying user-generated content have moderation policies and enforcement that removes egregious content like posts that incite violence."
• The move, which makes the app unavailable for new downloads, came after Apple issued a similar warning to Parler on, giving the company 24 hours to address policy violations.

Google has removed the far-right social media app Parler from its Play Store for continuing to allow violence-inciting content in violation of the company's policies, a spokesperson told Business Insider.

"We're aware of continued posting in the Parler app that seeks to incite ongoing violence in the US. We recognize that there can be reasonable debate about content policies and that it can be difficult for apps to immediately remove all violative content, but for us to distribute an app through Google Play, we do require that apps implement robust moderation for egregious content," the spokesperson said.

The platform has become popular among supporters of President Donald Trump and was used to help organize the mob attack on the US Capitol this week.

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"In light of this ongoing and urgent public safety threat, we are suspending the app's listings from the Play Store until it addresses these issues," Google said.

Read more: Inside the rapid and mysterious rise of Parler, the 'free speech' Twitter alternative, which created a platform for conservatives by burning the Silicon Valley script

Google said that its "longstanding policies require that apps displaying user-generated content have moderation policies and enforcement that removes egregious content like posts that incite violence," and that Parler was continuing to violate those rules despite multiple recent warnings.

The move makes the app unavailable for new downloads on app stores operated by Google, but it doesn't completely deny users access. Users might still be able to reach the app through mobile browers or third-party app stores.

Parler CEO John Matze said the ban was "a horrible way to handle this."

"If they actually cared, they would try to help. Not dump the app and send a break up public statement. What a horrible way to handle this," he added.

Apple issued a similar warning to Parler over its alleged role in Wednesday's attempted insurrection, saying it may remove the app from its App Store if Parler doesn't implement a content moderation plan within 24 hours, BuzzFeed News reported Friday.