Top Republicans in the House and Senate Thursday demanded answers from Apple, Amazon, and Google about their decisions to ban the social media platform Parler, suggesting that the tech giants acted unfairly and engaged in collusive behavior.
A handful of Big Tech companies, including Amazon, Apple, and Google, moved to take down Parler in early January, citing its role in facilitating the Capitol attack on Jan. 6. Parler announced in February that its website had resumed operations on a new platform but that its phone app is not available on iPhone or Android devices yet.
Republican leaders Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado sent a letter to the tech giants Thursday, saying that their actions lacked “procedural fairness” and created “the appearance of close coordination.”
The Republicans also wrote that Parler is not alleged to have violated any law and had even collaborated with the FBI in the weeks leading up to the Capitol riot.
The legislators requested the tech companies provide them written answers and any documentation, including emails and text messages, regarding their decisions around banning Parler.
Senior House Republicans said in January that any FBI investigation into Parler for its role in the Capitol attack should include Facebook and Twitter.
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The Republicans said House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s request for the FBI to investigate Parler was proof of a “growing alliance between Big Tech and Democrats.”
