Parler CEO and co-founder John Matze has been fired by the company’s Board led by Rebekah Mercer.
Matze , 27 said he was terminated on Friday and that he “ did not participate in this decision,” FOX Business reported.
“On January 29, 2021, the Parler board controlled by Rebekah Mercer decided to immediately terminate my position as CEO of Parler. I did not participate in this decision,” Matze wrote in a statement. “I understand that those who now control the company have made some communications to employees and other third parties that have unfortunately created confusion and prompted me to make this public statement.”
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Twitter and Facebook rival, Parler a conservative favoured social media network came under attack after the January 6 Capitol riots and was deplatformed by Apple, Google and Amazon.
Parler founded in 2018 and styled itself as a “free speech-driven”, experienced a surge in users after Twitter and Facebook removed Trump’s account, hitting the top spot on Apple’s App Storeprior to its removal.
Matze said that his original vision for the social media platform has been met with “constant resistance.”
“Over the past few months, I’ve met constant resistance to my product vision, my strong belief in free speech and my view of how the Parler site should be managed. For example, I advocated for more product stability and what I believe is a more effective approach to content moderation,” Matze wrote.
“I have worked endless hours and fought constant battles to get the Parler site running but at this point, the future of Parler is no longer in my hands,” he continued. “I want to thank the Parler employees, the people on Parler and Parler supporters for their tireless work and devotion to the company. They are an amazing group of diverse, hardworking and talented individuals and I have the utmost respect for them. Many of them have become my second family.”
Matze said he will take some time off and then venture into new opportunities where his vision will be required and respected.
“After that, I’ll be looking for new opportunities where my technical acumen, vision and the causes I am passionate about will be required and respected,” he wrote. “I want to thank all the people of Parler that supported me and the platform. This has been the true American Dream: an idea from a living room to a company of considerable value. I’m not saying goodbye, just so long for now.”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
