(Reuters) – A handful of U.S. companies have pulled advertising from Facebook Inc in support of a campaign that called out the social media giant for not doing enough to stop hate speech on its platforms.
The Stop Hate for Profit campaign was started by several U.S. civil rights groups after the death of African-American George Floyd in police custody triggered widespread protests against racial discrimination in the United States.
Verizon Communications Inc
“Our brand safety standards have not changed. We’re pausing our advertising until Facebook can create an acceptable solution that makes us comfortable and is consistent with what we’ve done with YouTube and other partners,” the telecom operator told Reuters.
Ben & Jerry’s
The ice-cream maker said it would pause all paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram in the United States as of July 1.
“We call on Facebook to take the clear and unequivocal actions called for by the campaign to stop its platform from being used to spread and amplify racism and hate.” (https://benjerrys.co/3ds0IzF)
Dashlane
The subscription-based password manager said it was stopping all paid and organic posts on Facebook and Instagram through July at minimum. (https://bit.ly/2Vfe643)
“I’m calling on my fellow CMOs in tech to join me,” the company’s chief marketing officer, Joy Howard, said in a statement.
Eddie Bauer
“In support of the ‘#StopHateforProfit’ initiative, Eddie Bauer will suspend all paid ads on Facebook and Instagram through the end of July, effective immediately,” the clothing store chain said in a tweet. (https://bit.ly/2Yso440)
Magnolia Pictures
The film distributor and studio became the first Hollywood company to join the movement. The company said in a tweet it would stop advertising on Facebook and Instagram, starting immediately, through at least the end of July.
“We are seeking meaningful change at Facebook and the end to their amplification of hate speech.” (https://bit.ly/2NrJg44)
Patagonia
“We will pull all ads on Facebook and Instagram, effective immediately, through at least the end of July, pending meaningful action from the social media giant,” the outdoor apparel brand said in a statement date June 21. (https://bit.ly/2ND3VCl)
Recreational Equipment Inc
“For 82 years, we have put people over profits. We’re pulling all Facebook/Instagram advertising for the month of July,” REI tweeted. (https://bit.ly/3evC7eR)
The North Face
The outdoor brand, a unit of VF Corp
“We’re in. We’re Out @Facebook,” The North Face said in a tweet. (https://bit.ly/3eyboy4)
A VF Corp spokesman told Reuters other brands in its portfolio were actively discussing whether to take the same action.
Upwork Inc
“Upwork is hitting pause on hate with no Facebook advertising in July,” the company tweeted. (https://bit.ly/3fU944V)
Rakuten Viber
“Viber will remove all Facebook-related contact points from our app including Facebook Connect, Facebook SDK, and GIPHY, as well as cease all ad spending on Facebook,” Djamel Agaoua, chief executive officer of the messaging app company, said in a statement on Twitter. (https://bit.ly/3dFFwqk)
Eileen Fisher
The women’s clothing designer tweeted, “Along with other industry partners, we’re pausing all paid ads on Facebook and Instagram for the month of July.” (https://bit.ly/31jfvu3)
Goodby Silverstein
“We will join #StopHate4Profit and stop posting on
Facebook for the month of July,” the advertising agency said in a statement on Twitter. (https://bit.ly/2NwVQPe)
(Reporting by Nivedita Balu in Bengaluru; Editing by Sweta Singh and Maju Samuel)
