Apple suspends Talking from the App Store until “dangerous and harmful content” is resolved

One day later put speak in default of a potential ban due to serious violations of App Store guidelines, Apple has put Talking on hold until the app’s creators resolve its content moderation issues.

“We have always supported various views represented on the App Store, but there is no room on our platform for threats of violence and illegal activity,” Apple said in a statement that m ‘was provided by e-mail. “Parler has not taken adequate measures to deal with the proliferation of these threats to human security. We have suspended Talking from the App Store until they resolve these issues.

The Talking app is no longer available for download and installation from the App Store. (Checked and verified at 5:00 p.m. Pacific, January 9)

It is important to note that Apple has suspended Talk, no banned this. This means that if Parler can implement content moderation standards that meet App Store guidelines, Apple will likely revert the app.

In response, Parler CEO John Matze told Parler that Apple was against free speech.

“Apple will ban Talk until we give up free speech, institute broad and invasive policies like Twitter and Facebook, and become a monitoring platform by prosecuting the culpability of those who use Talk Before. innocence, ”he said. “They claim this is due to the violence on the platform. The community disagrees as we reach number 1 for their store today. “

Apple provided examples of Talking content that violated App Store guidelines in its warning yesterday, and more are readily available with a quick simple search. Here are a few that I found today, including one using the N word that was shared with the Subreddit SpeakWatch.

Full Email from Apple to Parler:

“To the developers of the Parler application,

“Thank you for your response regarding the dangerous and harmful content on Speak. We have determined that the measures you describe are inadequate to combat the proliferation of dangerous and objectionable content on your app.

“Parler has not lived up to its commitment to moderate and remove harmful or dangerous content that encourages violence and illegal activity, and is not in compliance with the App Store review guidelines.

“In your response, you mentioned that Parler has been taking this content“ very seriously for weeks. ”However, the processes that Parler put in place to moderate or prevent the distribution of dangerous and illegal content has proven insufficient. We continued to find direct threats of violence and calls to incite illegal actions in violation of Directive 1.1 – Security – Objectionable Content.

“Your answer also refers to a moderation plan ‘for now’, which does not meet the current requirements of Directive 1.2 – Security – User Generated Content. Although there is no such thing as a perfect system To prevent harmful or hateful user content, applications must have strong content moderation plans in place to proactively and effectively address these issues. A temporary task force is not a sufficient answer given the widespread proliferation of content damaging.

“For these reasons, your app will be removed from the App Store until we receive an update that meets App Store review guidelines and you have demonstrated your ability to effectively moderate and filter content. dangerous and detrimental to your service. “

“Sincerely, App Review Board”

Parler CEO John Matze called Twitter “authoritarian cowards” for blocking Donald Trump on this service, and said Google’s suspension of the Speak app yesterday was “a horrible way to deal with this.”

In his statement on Parler, Matze also said other platforms were just as bad as Parler and complained about technology “monopolies”.

“That same day, ‘Hang Mike Pence’, a violent and disgusting suggestion, was trending nationally on Twitter. The display of Apple’s horrible double standard and their big tech pack applies to the community. Apple, a software monopoly, offers no alternative to installing apps on your phone other than their store. We don’t own our phones, Apple just leases them to us. Apple, Google and the rest of the anti-competitive pack of big tech bullies are coordinating their moves and working together to stifle competition in the marketplace. More details on our next plans to come as we have so many options. “