Conservatives are flocking to social media app Parler as Twitter cracks down on free speech

Amid efforts on the part of Twitter to ban, suspend, and censor prominent conservative voices from its platform in recent weeks, users have decided to give Parler a try—a social media platform functionally similar to Twitter without the censorship.

Parler was launched in August of 2018 and has since taken off, especially in recent days, with Twitter issuing a permanent suspension of meme-master Carpe Donktum, temporary suspension of Raheem Kassam, and permanent suspension of Katie Hopkins.

The common denominator of all these former Twitterites is that they hold conservative views. And this has sparked the interest of at least 250,000 Twitter users to create new Parler accounts this week.  

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Other conservative voices have been on the alternative social platform for some time, including Gavin McInnes and Laura Loomer, who have been permanently banned from other social media outlets for being outspoken about their political positions.

Parler's CEO, John Matze, appeared on One America News (OANN) in early May to discuss his thoughts about the free exchange of information, even though some of the information may be false. He suggests that it is incumbent about the user to do the research to find out what is true and what is false.

Matze added that it is not enough for people to just realize that censorship is happening, but to actually do something about it, such as joining communities like Parler that allow for a free flow of information and ideas.

Margot Cleveland—co-founder of The Federalist—took to Twitter Wednesday morning, tweeting: "CALL TO ACTION:  Let's make Friday #FreeSpeechFriday#TwitterFaceOffFriday and all go silent on Twitter but very active on Parler.  Spend Friday at Parler becoming familiar with the site & finding your follows and engaging there.  Today & tomorrow to open Parler account & share."

It is yet to be seen if conservative voices will commit to a full boycott of Twitter in favour of Parler, but it is true that a significant amount of new accounts are being created on the up and coming free speech platform every day.