Parler, the far-right social media site that was suspended after the Capitol riots in January, is returning to Apple’s App Store after a three-month absence.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) posted a letter from Apple on Twitter Monday, in which the company said its review department had approved the changes to Parler and an updated version of the Twitter-like app may be reinstated.
“Apple anticipates that the updated Parler app will become available immediately upon Parler releasing it,” said Timothy Powderly, Apple’s senior director for government affairs.
Buck, who had criticized Apple for removing the app, called the decision a “huge win for free speech.”
At its peak, Parler had 15 million users, mostly right-wing conservatives, many of whom joined in frustration as traditional social media outlets began fact-checking posts.
Apple and Google dropped the free platform from their app stores—and Amazon refused to continue hosting it on Amazon Web Services—following the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6.
In his note, Powderly rejected conspiracy theories that assert it was an organized effort by the tech giants to silence the app.
“Apple made an independent decision to remove Parler for noncompliance with the guidelines, and it did not coordinate or otherwise consult with Google or Amazon with respect to that decision,” he said. “Apple stands by that decision.”
In February, Parler fired its CEO after clashes with the board of directors over the platform’s future.
Parler got in trouble for allowing users to spread conspiracy theories, reiterate election misinformation, and make hateful comments. Trump supporters openly planned the riots on social media platforms including Parler, then posted videos from the siege on those platforms.
As of 3:25 p.m. ET Monday, Parler had not yet reappeared in the App Store.
