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Man Sentenced to Federal Prison and Banned from Parler
Troy Smocks, a man involved in the January 6th riots, was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison and banned from the social network Parler after making violent threats on the app in the aftermath of the riots. Smocks is now suing Parler for $370 million, claiming the company violated a controversial Texas law that prohibits social media platforms from censoring users for their political beliefs.
Smocks’ Parler Posts
Smocks’ Parler posts were centered around advocating for the insurrection on January 6th and calling for further violence the next day. In one post, he wrote, “lets hunt these cowards down like the Traitors that each of them are. This includes RINOS, Dems, and Tech Execs. We now have the green light.” Smocks’ guilty plea made him the second person convicted of crimes related to the insurrection.
The Lawsuit Against Parler
Smocks’ lawsuit claims that Parler banned him “solely because of Plaintiff’s selection and vote casting for a political candidate, then United States President Donald J. Trump.” The complaint does not mention Smocks’ calls for violence. Parler, its former CEO John Matze, and Rebekah Mercer, the right-wing philanthropist who secretly funded the company in its early days, are all named as defendants in the lawsuit.
Controversial Texas Law
In Texas, a law passed in 2021 prohibits social media platforms from censoring users based on their viewpoints, a law experts say goes against the first amendment. However, the law specifically includes speech that “directly incites criminal activity or consists of specific threats of violence.” Smocks’ previous conviction is evidence that his posts were in violation of this exception.
Parler’s Role in the Insurrection
Parler was one of several online hubs for the insurrectionists and domestic terrorists who planned the January 6th attack on the Capitol. App data showed that Parler’s members breached the Capitol Building. The platform reported the activity to the FBI more than 50 times before the riot, but this did not keep the app from legal trouble and a temporary ban from the Apple and Google app stores.
Parler’s History and Future
Parler was launched in 2018 as a refuge for conservatives and was paid for by Mercer. After several controversies stemming from January 6th, Parler fell behind other right-wing social media competitors, including Donald Trump’s Truth Social. Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, attempted to buy the app in 2022, but Parler called off the deal after Ye declared his love for Hitler in an interview. In January 2023, Parler laid off nearly all its employees.
Conclusion
Troy Smocks’ lawsuit against Parler is an example of the tension between free speech and responsibility in online platforms. While a controversial Texas law prohibits social media platforms from censoring users based on their viewpoints, speech that incites criminal activity or threatens violence cannot be protected. Parler’s role in the January 6th insurrection has also put the platform in legal and financial trouble, causing it to fall behind other right-wing social media competitors.
FAQs
What is Troy Smocks’ lawsuit against Parler?
Troy Smocks is suing Parler for $370 million, claiming the company violated a controversial Texas law that prohibits social media platforms from censoring users for their political beliefs.
What did Smocks’ Parler posts contain?
Smocks’ Parler posts advocated for the insurrection on January 6th and called for more violence the next day.
Did Smocks plead guilty to any charges?
Yes, Smocks pleaded guilty to making interstate threats, making him the second person convicted of crimes related to the January 6th insurrection.
What is the controversial Texas law?
A law passed in Texas in 2021 prohibits social media platforms from blocking, banning, or otherwise censoring a user based on their “viewpoints,” a law experts say goes against the first amendment. However, the law includes an exception for speech that “directly incites criminal activity or consists of specific threats of violence.”
What was Parler’s role in the January 6th insurrection?
Parler was one of several online hubs for the insurrectionists and domestic terrorists who planned the January 6th attack on the Capitol. App data showed that Parler’s members breached the Capitol Building.
What is the current status of Parler?
Parler was purchased by a conservative media company and taken offline to reassess the business. Parler’s new owner expressed interest in running a profitable tech company, not a political advocacy group. However, Parler laid off nearly all its employees in January 2023.
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