Kanye West buying Twitter rival Parler to create ‘uncancellable’ social network
KANYE West is buying conservative Twitter rival Parler in a bid to create an "uncancellable" social media app.
The controversial rapper – who now goes by the name Ye – says he's taking a stance against "censorship from Big Tech".
wrote: "In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial, we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves."
It comes just days after the ex was kicked off Twitter for posting a shocking anti-Semitic tirade.
Parler launched back in 2018 as a microblogging app built around the idea of free speech, hoping to welcome users banned from other platforms.
It's estimated to have somewhere between 700,000 and 1million active users – including Ye, who publicly joined this week.
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In a statement, Parler said: "Parlement Technologies announced today that it has entered into an agreement in principle to sell Parler."
"Ye has become the richest Black man in history through music and apparel.
"And is taking a bold stance against his recent censorship from Big Tech, using his far-reaching talents to further lead the fight to create a truly non-cancelable environment."
It's currently unclear how much the Parler deal is worth.
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But in September 2022, Parler announced $16million in Series B funding, bringing its total capital raised to $56million.
Parler describes itself as "the premier global free speech app".
Since its launch in 2018, the app has been helmed by a number of leaders.
Founder and CEO John Mate served as CEO before being sacked in January 2021.
Parler was then managed by interim CEO Mark Meckler, a former Tea Party activist.
Meckler was followed by Brexit Party donor George Farmer, who was named as CEO in May 2021.
App attack
The app has been highly controversial, and was even banned by Apple and Google from their respective app stores.
Tech companies linked the app to violent posts created in the lead-up to the Capitol riots in 2021.
"We have received numerous complaints regarding objectionable content in your Parler service, accusations that the Parler app was used to plan, coordinate, and facilitate the illegal activities," Apple said last year.
"The app also appears to continue to be used to plan and facilitate yet further illegal and dangerous activities."
Parler has since returned to both Apple and Google app stores after changing its policies.
Troubled Kanye
Ye's relationship with social media has been troubled.
The star has courted countless online controversies – primarily on Twitter.
He took an 11-month break from Twitter in 2016 after an episode of temporary psychosis.
The star eventually returned to Twitter, before being banned in October 2022 for posting a tweet attacking Jewish people.
He wrote that he was "going to go death con 3 on Jewish people".
Ye added: "The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda."
In a damning response to the posts, the Anti-Defamation League wrote: "Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has recently used his media presence and social influence to espouse antisemitic tropes about Jewish intimidation, power and control.
"This dangerous rhetoric may help advance the spread of existing false and antisemitic narratives shared by extremist groups."
West has openly struggled with mental health, and has talked about his opioid addiction, nervous breakdowns, suicidal thoughts and bipolar disorder.
In August 2021, West applied to have his name changed from Kanye Omari West to Ye with no middle or last name.
Ye has been a long-time nickname for the star.
"I believe 'ye' is the most commonly used word in the Bible. In the Bible it means you," Ye said in an interview.
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"So, I'm you. I'm us. It's us. It went from being Kanye, which means the only one, to just Ye."
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His name change request – which cited "personal reasons" – was granted in October that year.
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