When the conservative social media platform announces Kanye West has agreed to buy the social network, the company inadvertently exposes the contact information of its so-called VIP users.
- Oct 19, 2022
AceShowbiz - Parler has failed to honor the privacy of its "VIP" users. When the company made announcement about Kanye West's plans to acquire the conservative social media platform, it accidentally leaked the email addresses for hundreds of its users.
On Monday, October 17, Parler sent an email to hundreds of its so-called VIP users to inform them about Ye buying the social network. "Our VIPs are an invaluable part of the Parler family and experience," part of the email read. "We appreciate all your support and partnership in the fight for free speech, and we look forward to your involvement in this monumental new chapter."
Much to everyone's shock, around 200 recipients of this announcement were CC'd on the email instead of BCC'd. This means their names and private email addresses were visible to everyone who received the email.
Ivanka Trump, conservative political commentator Candace Owens, Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and right-wing provocateur Andy Ngo were among those VIPs whose email addresses were leaked.
Social media users didn't miss the chance to slam Parler over the blunder. "Parler sent an email on this to *hundreds* of influencers this morning with the news but forgot to BCC and everyone is replying all. Off to a great start…," popular pro-Trump communications strategist Caleb Hull sarcastically tweeted.
Another remarked, "Yesterday Parler put out an email about Kayne West buying the social media site out. Parler forgot to BCC all of the accounts. Every verified account got doxxed. What an incredible move from this failing right wing site."
Following the incident, Josh Levine, COO of Parlement Technologies, sent an email to VIPs apologizing for the original email. "Earlier today, we shared with you news about Ye's intent to purchase Parler," he wrote. "In the excitement, we inadvertently included your email address in the CC field instead of the BCC field. To say we’re highly embarrassed is an understatement." Levine noted that the email was only sent to a select few VIPs.
In the Monday announcement, CEO George Farmer of Parlement Technologies, the parent company of Parler, said, "This deal will change the world, and change the way the world thinks about free speech. Ye is making a groundbreaking move into the free speech media space and will never have to fear being removed from social media again."
This arrives after Ye caught heat for his "White Lives Matter" T-shirt and his controversial comments, including his anti-Semitic remarks.
