This illustration picture shows social media application logo from Parler displayed on a smartphone with its website in the background in Arlington, Virginia on July 2, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

Parler CEO John Matze said Wednesday the social networking and microblogging company has dismissed him, as the site has largely gone offline after the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

Matze confirmed the move in a text message to Reuters saying: "On January 29, 2021, the Parler board controlled by Rebekah Mercer decided to immediately terminate my position as CEO of Parler. I did not participate in this decision."

Parler is a newly-founded American website and mobile application popular among conservatives who regard the platform as an alternative to Twitter, claiming it had over 12 million registered users in January.