Twitter-alternative Parler is removed from Apple App Store following Capitol Hill riot: Parler is a social media platform that was created with an emphasis on free speech. It was meant to be an alternative to platform's like Twitter and Facebook, which have increasingly placed constraints on the content allowed to be posted and discussed by users. Apple issued an ultimatum to Parler demanding that it remove objectionable content "used to plan, coordinate, and facilitate the illegal activities in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021 that led (among other things) to loss of life, numerous injuries, and the destruction of property," and provide a plan on how it would improve its content moderation practices moving forward, according to Buzzfeed News. Apple said Parler had 24 hours to make the changes or else it would be removed from the App Store. Parler CEO John Matze responded defiantly. “We will not cave to pressure from anti-competitive actors! We will and always have enforced our rules against violence and illegal activity. But we WONT cave to politically motivated companies and those authoritarians who hate free speech!” he wrote on Parler. “Anyone who buys an Apple phone is apparently a user. Apperently they know what is best for you by telling you which apps you may and may not use,” added Matze.