Digital media conglomerate Starboard is acquiring conservative social media app Parler and plans to temporarily shut down the platform ahead of a relaunch.
The deal comes after Parlement Technologies, Parler's parent company, cut most of its staff and executives, placing the future of Parler in jeopardy.
- Starboard, formerly Olympic Media, also owns right-learning outlets American Wire and BizPac Review.
- The
conglomerate says it expects the deal to be finalized by "the end of
Q2, 2023." It did not disclose the financial details of the transaction.
- In
a statement, Starboard CEO Ryan Coyne said Parler's "large user base
and additional strategic assets" will afford Starboard the opportunity
to keep building its media and publishing enterprise.
- The move comes after Kanye West, now known as Ye, attempted to purchase Parler. The sale was mutually terminated after Ye made antisemitic remarks during a December interview.
- Parler
was removed from Google Play and Apple's app store in January 2021,
shortly after the U.S. Capitol riots. The tech platforms later reinstated Parler after it updated its moderation policies.
