You may have read that several big brands including Verizon, Adidas, Patagonia, and many more have temporarily pulled their ads from Facebook to force the company to address its problems with hate speech and misinformation. This is part of a movement called #StopHateforProfit, and the goal is to get as many companies as possible to pull ads from Facebook for the month of July, in order to slash Facebook’s profits and hopefully force them to make much-needed reforms.

Why are major companies pulling their ads? Because:

1. Facebook regularly recommends extremist groups to users

2. Facebook has an inadequate harrassment policy, and according to the ADL 42% of users have experienced harassment on the platform

3. Facebook has created a loophole specifically to allow climate science denial through its fact checking program

4. Facebook has repeatedly refused to remove political ads that contain blatant lies

5. Facebook has refused or dragged their feet to remove conspiratorial content such as Holocaust denial and QAnon content

These companies are not being philanthropic defenders of the people – they are protecting their brand by making sure their ads stop showing up next to hate speech, harassment, and conspiracy theories. Luckily in this case (and only this one), civil rights and truth are on the side of big companies’ profits. So let’s use that leverage to make Facebook listen!

ACTION: Tell your favorite brand to #stophateforprofit

For Facebook to take notice and make real change to its platform, we need as many companies as possible to join in removing their ads for the month of July. We’re asking you to think of your favorite brand, check whether they’ve joined the movement by searching the list below, and if they haven’t, then reach out and ask them to do so! Simple as that. Twitter or other social media platforms (Facebook included) are good forms of contact for this, because you know the pressure will be seen publicly. Emailing through a customer service email or contact form on their website is another great option. Either way, let them know you want their help to stop hate.

• List of companies who’ve signed on: https://www.stophateforprofit.org/participating-businesses

• Open letter explaining why companies should participate: https://www.adl.org/news/letters/an-open-letter-to-the-companies-that-advertise-on-facebook

• Recommendations to Facebook for improvements: https://www.stophateforprofit.org/productrecommendations

Example Email:

“Hi, [I’m a regular customer/I love your products/ personal note about relationship to company], but I’m wondering why [Company] hasn’t joined other big brands like Verizon and Adidas in the movement to #stophateforprofit, by removing your ads from Facebook for the month of July. Hate, extremism and misinformation thrive on Facebook, alongside and funded by your ads, but if enough companies participate in July perhaps Facebook will finally get the message and make needed reforms. Find out more here: https://www.stophateforprofit.org/“

Background: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/30/technology/facebook-advertising-boycott.html