Rapper and entrepreneur Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) is acquiring Parler. The controversial and right-wing conservative social media platform presents itself as a free speech haven and aims to be an alternative to Twitter.
The artist himself is regularly at odds with other social networks. Because of controversial statements he has made, Ye's accounts on Twitter and Instagram have already been temporarily blocked.
Parler does not intervene when users make controversial statements and, in his own words, fights for freedom of expression.
"Ye takes a big step into the free speech space and never has to fear being banned from social media again," said George Farmer, chief executive of the company behind Parler.
The social network is especially popular among right-wing supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Through Parler, Trump supporters, among others, are said to have called for violence in the January 2021 storming of the Capitol.
Ye and Parler expect to complete the acquisition before the end of this year. How much the rapper is paying for Parler has not yet been disclosed.