Pete Evans’ quits Facebook for Parler, paywall sites

After a massive backlash over a neo-Nazi cartoon, Pete Evans has quit Facebook, taking his views to a controversial “free speech” app where fact-checking is non existent.

Controversial celebrity chef Pete Evans has quit Facebook, taking his “health” advice and conspiracy theories behind a paywall and on to the Twitter-like social media app Parler.

After a Facebook post of a neo-Nazi cartoon saw him dumped by Channel 10, publisher Pan Macmillan and a string of retailers, Evans took to Facebook on Friday to farewell his 1.5 million followers.

“Get your popcorn out as this is not the end, however, just a beautiful new transition into a space of love, education, knowledge and not being censored ever again,” he added, telling people to subscribe to his personal platforms and newsletter.

Evans views have thrived on Facebook and Instagram, but as social media platforms crack down on misinformation, his shift to Parler, promoted as a “free speech’ alternative to Twitter, will face far less scrutiny.

There is no fact-checking on information shared on the app, whose user base is predominantly conservative and right-leaning, including pro-Trump supporters. However it also attracts more extreme right commentators including Laura Loomer, who has been banned from most social media platforms.