For all we know there was a limited group of users of that service that caused this action, however we don’t know and likely will never know the facts in this matter.
So if Amazon wants to discontinue a business relationship they would need to sue their customer? What would they sue them for? I don't think it's a crime to break terms of service.
Amazon, Google, and Apple merely terminated their service because Parler violated TOS. It is perfectly reasonable.
Maybe Amazons motives are not really based on their obligation to protect the company from unnecessary liability. Maybe that is just a handy excuse for getting rid of a customer that is hurting their reputation. It is difficult to say from the outside. But even then how do we decide which companies are allowed cease business with customers damage their reputation. What if a smaller provider has an existentially large customer who threatens to leave if they don't stop doing business with another unsavory customer. Will have a rule that is so strict they just have to go out of business? Or will we not allow the large customer to leave? It is god damned mine field.
This is all such a beautiful example of the immense complexity of the real world. People must make hard decisions where there are no clearly right answers. Maybe they try to do the most ethical thing, maybe they look out for their company, or maybe they serve their own selfish interest. Regardless, there is lots of potential for unintended consequences. For one, others will then frame those actions and the consequences in a narrative to support their own business or political goals.
The real shortcoming in these matters is a total lack of legislation that reflects the world today on the Internet. Section 230 and the rest of the CDA were passed in 1996. The world looked a lot different back then.
Until legislatures act, private companies self-policing at their own discretion is the best we get.
> For all we know there was a limited group of users of that service that caused this action, however we don’t know and likely will never know the facts in this matter.
To my knowledge Parler was in part blocked due to a total lack of a moderation policy. It was the policy of the app, not the mere action of a minority of users.
That said, Parler almost certainly has no case since private companies may do business with whomever they please and any terms in place almost certainly contain an at-will termination clause. Parler will need to find a new host and AWS will forfeit any future revenue from Parler. That’s an even exchange.