anyway my pet conspiracy theory is that in like 30 to 50 years we'll find out that parler was created, or at least allowed to continue existing, as a honeypot operation

because their security really does seem like a moment in a comedy movie where the bumbling FBI agents have someone cooperating on the phone when they didn't plan it

"oh shit uhhh bob... what should we ask for security info?"

"uhhhhh.... fuck it, shoot for the moon throckmornton, let's get their full legal name"

".................hey bob, they said yes to that. they said they'll give us a scan of their drivers license if we want"

"YOU'RE KIDDING ME"

"I DON'T THINK THEY'RE KIDDING BOB"

"okay okay fuck. yes, that's good, that's great. fuck it. let's see how far we can push this, ask for their social security number"

"okay just a sec"

"ah fuck. that's too far. that's gonna be too far, they're gonna absolutely call bullshit, fuck, we've overplayed our hand, they're gonna -"

"bob i have their social security number"

"HOOOOOLYYYYY SHIIIEEEET."