Seattle judge rejects Parler’s request to force Amazon to restore hosting services

A Seattle judge issued a ruling Thursday, rejecting a request from Parler to force Amazon to temporarily restore its hosting services.

Sammamish company says it has no plans to host Parler

AWS — Amazon’s expansive web hosting arm — terminated its account with Parler in the wake of the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, citing a “steady increase” in violent language from users that helped foment that violence.

Parler then filed a lawsuit against Amazon, asking a U.S. District Court judge in Seattle to issue a temporary injunction to force AWS to resume hosting services while the litigation played out.

Parler’s request asserted three claims: Amazon illegally sought to reduce competition in the social media sphere on behalf of Twitter; AWS breached its contract in terminating its agreement with Parler; and Amazon intentionally interfered with Parler’s business relationships.

Opinion: WA Republicans share blame for Trump mob’s insurrection

Seattle Judge Barbara Rothstein ruled against all three claims.

“Parler has fallen far short of demonstrating, as it must, that it has raised serious questions going to the merits of its claims, or that the balance of hardships tips sharply in its favor,” Judge Rothstein wrote in her ruling. “It has also failed to demonstrate that it is likely to prevail on the merits of any of its three claims; that the balance of equities tips in its favor, let alone strongly so; or that the public interests lie in granting the injunction.”

The case will proceed without the injunction, as Parler continues to look for alternatives to AWS’ hosting services.

Follow @NickNorthwest