ABC News: Experts say echo chambers from apps like Parler and Gab contributed to attack on Capitol

As Trump loyalists stormed the U.S. Capitol last week, conservative-leaning social media sites like Parler and Gab erupted with talk of revolution and civil war, with trending hashtags like #StormTheCapitol.

Experts tell ABC News that services like Parler — whose app has now been removed from the leading app stores — helped create echo chambers for violence and extremist views, then provided a platform for some of the coordination of last week’s attack.

And now that the tech industry is moving to crack down on toxic rhetoric, many of those voices have gone in search of alternative platforms. …

Experts like Jesse Littlewood, vice president of campaigns at the nonpartisan watchdog group Common Cause, say the lack of moderation on apps like Parler is normalizing hate speech and other forms of “toxic” online content.

“These platforms are where individuals can see their worldview reflected and encouraged, even if in complete opposition to the facts,” said Littlewood. “This avoidable tragedy [on Wednesday] was fomented for weeks based on the president and his Republican allies amplifying disinformation about the results of the election.”