Washington (AFP)

The conservative social network "Talking", popular with supporters of former US President Donald Trump, announced on Monday that it was partially operational again, more than a month after it was decommissioned by the tech giants .

The Parler network, which claims to be dedicated to freedom of expression but has been accused of conveying incitement to violence from part of the American extreme right, had to cease after the violence on Capitol Hill on January 6. .

Apple and Google had removed it from their download platforms and Amazon Web Services (AWS) had decided to no longer host it on its servers.

"Parler was created to provide a social network that protects freedom of expression while promoting privacy and the exchange of ideas," said Mark Meckler, interim CEO of Parler in a statement. .

Parler's new leader added that he refused to let "tens of millions of Americans be silenced."

Parler, which claims 20 million members, said it was back online for users who already have its app.

New members will only be able to join the network next week.

On social networks, some users expressed Monday their difficulty to connect, including owners of Apple devices.

The talking.com website was once again accessible.

- "Here to stay" -

The violence of January 6, when an angry mob stormed the Congress building in Washington, was followed by a questioning of the presence of Donald Trump and far-right groups on social media.

The ex-president was banned from Facebook and Twitter, as were many of his supporters close to the conspiratorial QAnon movement who spread false information, particularly the idea that Joe Biden had been elected US president through massive electoral fraud.

The leaders of Parler did not specify which host had agreed to sell them its services and replace Amazon to restart the social network.

They only indicated that it now relies on "robust, viable and independent technology".

"Parler is managed by an experienced team and is here to stay," said Mark Meckler, who has provisionally taken over from John Matze, who was dismissed at the beginning of February.

John Matze was behind the launch of the social network in 2018, along with Rebekah Mercer, a major donor to the Republican Party who still controls its Board of Directors.

Talking works much like Twitter, with profiles members can follow.

A bit like tweets, users post "parlys" to them.

The platform attracted especially at its beginnings ultra-conservative fringes, even extreme-right.

But before her interruption, she also welcomed more traditional Republican voices such as Fox News presenters, Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson or Republican Governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem.

They are all very close to Donald Trump.

© 2021 AFP