Digital Social Hour: Data Privacy Bombshell: How Parler is Changing the Game | Jon Willis DSH #1052
Release Date: January 3, 2025
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Jon Willis, CEO of Parler
Introduction
In Episode #1052 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly engages in a compelling conversation with Jon Willis, the CEO of Parler. The episode delves deep into the pressing issues of data privacy, the challenges posed by Big Tech, and Parler's innovative strategies to redefine the social media landscape. Willis shares personal anecdotes, business insights, and a vision for a more autonomous and user-centric digital future.
The Data Privacy Crisis
The discussion begins with a stark commentary on the current state of data privacy in major tech platforms.
-
Data Monetization Practices:
- Jon Willis (00:01): “When you click, I accept. When you join Facebook, for instance, you're accepting the fact that they are taking your data, they're selling it for billions of dollars.”
- Sean Kelly (00:08): “Google and Apple are probably selling our data as we speak.”
- Jon Willis (00:11): “I heard somewhere it's like 900 bucks per person. Per day. Per day. Per day.”
Willis highlights the alarming scale at which personal data is commodified, emphasizing that users receive no tangible benefits despite the vast profits generated from their information.
Parler’s Strategic Relaunch and Autonomous Infrastructure
Willis provides an in-depth look into Parler's recent acquisition and the strategic overhaul aimed at creating an independent social media ecosystem.
-
Acquisition and Rebranding:
- Jon Willis (00:44): “We bought Parlor a year ago, so December, actually it was a year ago this week, believe it or not. So we bought Parlor, bought the brand, the database, the IP everything.”
-
Building an Autonomous Platform:
- Jon Willis (01:10): “We decided let's go a little bit bigger and let's just create a whole alternative to Big Tech, you know, a replacement for Big Tech.”
By establishing their own cloud infrastructure, Parler aims to eliminate dependence on traditional tech giants like AWS, Microsoft, and Akamai, thereby reducing operational costs and enhancing control over user data.
-
Introduction of Play TV:
- Jon Willis (03:27): “We wanted to create a new platform which we just launched, which is really a competitor to YouTube and TikTok, which is Play TV, which is available in the app stores now.”
Play TV is Parler's answer to existing video-oriented platforms, offering a familiar user experience with additional benefits tied to data privacy and user rewards.
Empowering Users Through Blockchain and Rewards
A significant portion of the conversation centers on Parler’s integration of blockchain technology to empower users financially.
-
Data Protection and User Rewards:
- Jon Willis (05:53): “When you join Facebook, for instance, you're accepting the fact that they are taking your data, they're selling it for billions of dollars.”
- Jon Willis (05:46): “What we did is we decided to integrate Parler into the blockchain and to create a whole reward system around the social media experience.”
By embedding the Parlerpay wallet into over 17 million apps, users earn tokens daily merely by participating as light nodes on the blockchain. These tokens can be redeemed within the Parler ecosystem or potentially converted into cryptocurrency and cash in the future.
-
Incentivizing Positive Behavior:
- Jon Willis (15:06): “If you're posting good, wholesome, positive content, you're going to be rewarded more than if you're being a troll or a jerk or whatever.”
Parler’s rewards system is designed to foster a positive community by incentivizing constructive interactions and discouraging negative behavior.
Challenges with Big Tech Advertising and Censorship
Willis and Kelly critique the evolution of advertising practices and censorship policies on major platforms.
-
Decline in Ad Effectiveness:
- Jon Willis (06:02): “All profit, which are horrible, by the way. I mean, you can make. If you're a small business, I don't know how you survive with Facebook ads. It used to be a great place to get great, and now it's ridiculous.”
They discuss how ad targeting has become less effective and more restrictive, making it difficult for small businesses to achieve a return on investment.
-
Censorship and Shadow Banning:
- Jon Willis (07:32): “Like if Parlor tried running ads, they'd probably deny it.”
- Jon Willis (07:58): “They're so shadow banned with Meta.”
The conversation highlights the biases in content moderation, especially against conservative voices, and how platforms like Parler position themselves against such practices.
Political Landscape and Social Media Influence
The episode transitions into a broader discussion about the interplay between social media platforms and politics.
-
Supreme Court and TikTok Ban:
- Jon Willis (08:25): “Yesterday the Supreme Court announced that they're going to take up the TikTok case.”
They explore the potential ramifications of the Supreme Court’s decision on TikTok and its unprecedented nature in U.S. policy.
-
Elon Musk’s Role:
- Jon Willis (12:24): “I think Elon's what saved this country 100%.”
Willis credits Elon Musk with preserving free speech on digital platforms, contrasting his approach with traditional media outlets.
-
Future of Media Outlets:
- Jon Willis (14:10): “What do you think is going to happen with MSNBC?”
Predictions are made about the future of mainstream media, including potential shifts in leadership and ownership influenced by emerging social media figures.
Global Expansion and Future Plans
Looking ahead, Willis outlines Parler’s ambitions for global reach and deeper integration with blockchain technology.
- Global Focus for 2025:
- Jon Willis (15:06): “We're really focusing on being global. And with Optio, which is our blockchain that we've integrated with, that's really going to allow us to do that.”
- Optio Rewards and Real-World Applications:
- Jon Willis (16:32): “Our goal is to one day have those rewards with our Optio accepted here program where similar to what Amex and Discover Cart did back in the day where we will have a network of vendors...”
Conclusion
Jon Willis wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with Parler and its new offerings.
- Jon Willis (17:22): “No, just check out Play TV playtv.parler.com and it's available both on iOS and Android. And once you do sign up for Parlor, make sure you set up your Parlor pay wallet and enjoy.”
Key Takeaways
- Data Privacy is a Critical Concern: Major platforms monetize user data extensively, often without providing user benefits.
- Parler's Autonomous Infrastructure: By creating their own cloud and integrating blockchain, Parler aims to be a self-sustaining alternative to Big Tech.
- Empowering Users Financially: Through the Parlerpay wallet and token rewards, users can gain tangible benefits from their social media interactions.
- Challenges in Advertising and Censorship: Current ad practices are becoming less effective and more restrictive, particularly against conservative voices.
- Political Influence of Social Media: The role of platforms in shaping political discourse and potential regulatory actions are key discussion points.
- Future Expansion Plans: Parler seeks global expansion and deeper integration of blockchain rewards to enhance user engagement and utility.
Notable Quotes:
- Jon Willis (00:11): “I heard somewhere it's like 900 bucks per person. Per day. Per day. Per day.”
- Jon Willis (05:53): “When you join Facebook, for instance, you're accepting the fact that they are taking your data, they're selling it for billions of dollars.”
- Jon Willis (12:24): “I think Elon's what saved this country 100%.”
- Jon Willis (15:06): “We wanted to incentivize good behavior in order to help change culture for the good.”
For those interested in exploring a new paradigm in social media that prioritizes user autonomy and data privacy, this episode offers invaluable insights into Parler’s innovative approach and future trajectory.