Parler Is Back Online -- Reportedly with Support of Russians

Parler Is Back Online -- Reportedly with Support of Russians

Parler, the social network popular with Donald Trump supporters, has partially returned online. The Guardian is reporting that its return to the Internet came with the support of a Russian-owned technology company.

Amazon Web Services dropped hosting Parler after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

The ultra-rightwing social media site’s app was also dropped by Apple. Both AWS and Apple said the dropped Parler due to unmonitored hate speech.

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On Monday, Parler’s website was reachable again, though only with a message from its chief executive, John Matze, saying he was working to restore functionality.

The Guardian reports, “The internet protocol (IP) address it used is owned by DDos-Guard, which is controlled by two Russian men and provides services including protection from distributed denial of service attacks, infrastructure expert Ronald Guilmette told Reuters.”

“DDoS-Guard’s other clients include the Russian ministry of defence, as well as media organisations in Moscow. Until recently, it offered 8kun – which was previously known as 8chan – protection from DDoS. Last week, DDoS-Guard became the latest company to cut ties with 8kun’s hosting company, VanwaTech, following inquiries from the Guardian.”