Big companies take down X ads because of hate speech

More advertisers are leaving social network X, formerly Twitter, due to concerns about their ads appearing alongside pro-Nazi content and hate speech.

IBM announced this week that it had stopped paying for ads on X after learning that its ads often appeared alongside publications praising Nazis.

It’s a new setback for X, which is still trying to win back major brands and their advertising budgets, which remain a major source of revenue.

Ads from Apple, Oracle, NBC Universal’s Bravo network and Comcast were placed on X along with anti-Semitic material, the liberal advocacy group Media Matters said in a report released Thursday.

IBM has zero tolerance for hate speech and discrimination, and we immediately halted all advertising on X while we investigate this completely unacceptable situation.

Apple, Oracle, NBCUniversal and Comcast did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

The European Union’s executive branch also announced Friday that it was suspending its ads on X and other social networks because of a rise in hate speech.

Later, Disney, Lionsgate and Paramount Global also confirmed that they were temporarily suspending their X advertising campaigns.

Controversial comments

X owner Elon Musk sparked an outcry this week with his own posts on the platform, where he responded to a user who accused Jews of hating white people and professed indifference to anti-Semitism. You are telling the truthMr Musk wrote on Wednesday.

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The billionaire has been accused of tolerating anti-Semitic messages on the platform since purchasing the platform last year.

We strongly condemn this abhorrent campaign of anti-Semitic and racist hatred that goes against our fundamental values ​​as Americans.White House spokesman Andrew Bates wrote Friday in response to Elon Musk’s message.

Linda Yaccarino, president and CEO of X, promises X’s point of view has always been very clear: discrimination at all levels must stop.

I think this is something we can do and everyone should agree to.she said Thursday.

Ms. Mr. Yaccarino, a former NBC Universal executive, was tasked with rebuilding relationships with advertisers who fled after the sale of the platform. Hired by Musk.

Regarding this platform, X has been very clear about our efforts to combat anti-Semitism and discrimination. It has no place anywhere in the world – it is ugly and evil. periodMrs. Yaccarino decided.