Print giant HP has joined a growing list of major companies that have stopped advertising on Facebook in the US over what they say is the site's failure to stop the spread of hateful content. Organisers of the boycott are now aiming to take the campaign global.
A civil rights coalition including the Anti-Defamation League and the NAACP last week launched the #StopHateforProfit campaign, calling on corporations to end their advertising on Facebook because of its "repeated failure to meaningfully address the vast proliferation of hate on its platforms."
More than 160 companies - including Honda, The North Face, Patagonia, Adidas, Ben & Jerry’s, Unilever, Magnolia Pictures and Clorox - have so far signed on to stop buying ads in July on the world’s largest social media platform.
In a statement, HP said:
"HP is a purpose-driven brand and we expect all platforms on which we advertise to uphold responsible policies that prevent our ads from appearing alongside objectionable content, regardless of the source.
“We have expressed deep concerns to Facebook and are stopping U.S. advertising on the platform until we see more robust safeguards in place.
“We are also reviewing our social media strategy across all markets and platforms, and we will take additional actions as needed to protect our brand and combat hateful content."
In a statement, Carolyn Everson, vice president of Facebook's global business group, said: "We deeply respect any brand's decision and remain focused on the important work of removing hate speech and providing critical voting information. Our conversations with marketers and civil rights organizations are about how, together, we can be a force for good."
