Social networking platform Parler is set to be purchased by rapper Kanye West, who now goes by the name Ye. .In a message to users, Parler CEO George Farmer called it "one of the most exciting days in the history of Parler." ."Parlement Technologies has entered into an agreement in principle to sell Parler to Ye (formerly known as Kanye West)," said Farmer in the statement. ."Ye is not only a music & apparel titan but he, like Parler, has faced senseless and unnecessary censorship and cancelation by Big Tech. He shares Parler’s passion for free speech and independent thought.".Farmer — the husband of American conservative activist Candace Owens and son of Michael Farmer, a British conservative politician who sits in the upper chamber of the UK Parliament — said under West's ownership, he believes Parler will be able to "create an uncancelable ecosystem." ."No one should have to self-censor out of uncertainty about which legal speech will get him or her banned," said Farmer.."No individual or business should worry about being completely deplatformed, as Parler was, merely for the expression of opposing viewpoints. Groupthink is, and always has been, more dangerous than independent thinking.".Farmer said he could not share all the details, but insinuated current Parler staff would remain working for the platform, adding he has "complete confidence" the platform "will experience the limitless growth it deserves."."Parler will remain a place where everyone can think, listen, and speak freely," he said. ."We will continue the fight against censorship, cancel culture, and authoritarianism.".Farmer ended his note by encouraging users to continue to follow @parlernews for all the latest information on the transition and suggested users follow @kanye, as well. .West, who has agreed in principle to buy the conservative social media platform, said in a statement released by Parler he believes everyone has "the right to freely express ourselves." .“In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves,” said West, who now goes by Ye, in a statement released by Parler..The deal follows controversy in recent weeks where West was locked out of his Twitter and Instagram accounts for making what was considered by the platforms to be antisemitic remarks..In one Instagram post, West commented that fellow rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs is being controlled by Jewish people. .On Twitter, West's account was restricted after posting, "death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE." .It's estimated that West's net worth is around $2 billion, much of which has been generated from his Yeezy sneaker brand and partnership with retailers Gap and Adidas. West recently cut ties with Gap and Adidas which said it is reviewing its business relationship with the rapper. .Parler, which initially launched in 2018, gained massive support from conservative users when former US President Donald Trump was being censored by Twitter. The platform took a hit during the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol when tech companies, including Google and Amazon, blacklisted Parler, making its app and website inaccessible. .However, Apple restored the app on its App Store platform in April 2021, while Google did the same in September. Since then, Parler has created its own in-house cloud infrastructure in an effort to reduce its dependence on other firms. .“The future is uncancelable,” the company said in a September announcement after it set up a new parent company called Parlement Technologies, aimed at providing its own cloud service for online business. .Although financial terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, the company previously said it had raised $56 million in funding from outside investors, according to reports from CNBC. It's expected the deal will be finalized before the end of the year.
