Celebs like Kim Kardashian to ‘boycott’ Facebook and Instagram but only for a DAY – in a Stop Hate For Profit ‘freeze’
DOZENS of celebrities are “boycotting” Facebook and Instagram despite earning vast fortunes from the apps – but only for ONE day.
Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio and Katy Perry are just a few of the stars getting involved with the ‘Stop Hate for Profit’ social media freeze.
The boycott this Wednesday is happening because some people believe Facebook’s policies regarding hate speech and misinformation have caused real-world violence.
Demi Lovato, Orlando Bloom, Naomi Campbell, Sacha Baron Cohen and numerous other celebrities posted an image of the ‘Stop Hate for Profit’ campaign on their accounts yesterday.
A lot of celebrities rely heavily on social media as a form of income – so they won’t quit Facebook and Instagram for too long.
Kim Kardashian wrote to her Instagram followers: “I love that I can connect directly with you through Instagram and Facebook.
“But I can’t sit by and stay silent while these platforms continue to allow the spreading of hate, propaganda and misinformation – created by groups to sow division and split America apart – only to take steps after people are killed.
“Misinformation shared on social media has a serious impact on our elections and undermines our democracy.
“Please join me tomorrow when I will be “freezing” my Instagram and FB account to tell Facebook to #StopHateForProfit.
“Link in bio for more info on how to preserve truth.”
According to TMZ, Kim Kardashian can earn $1million (£773,000) per Instagram post.
She famously revealed her husband, Kanye West, gifted her $1 million after she turned down the huge sum when asked to promote a rival fashion brand.
The Stop Hate for Profit campaign is being led by the Anti-Defamation League, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Color of Change.
The aim is for the hundreds of millions of people that follow these celebrities online to also boycott social media for the day and make Facebook reconsider its actions.
The Stop Hate for Profit website states: “A growing group of individuals will join the Stop Hate For Profit campaign for a week of action beginning Monday, September 14th.
“We are quickly approaching one of the most consequential elections in American history. Facebook’s unchecked and vague “changes” are falling dangerously short of what is necessary to protect our democracy.
“Facebook’s role in the Kenosha shooting—which was flagged as violating their policies hundreds of times—is a reminder that changing policies without changing enforcement means little. It reinforces the fact that lives are on the line.
“To join the Week of Action, we ask you to post specific message online during the week of September 14, 2020. These messages will be about the harms that Facebook is inflicting on our society and the importance of voting.”
It goes on to explain that the 24-hour Instagram “Freeze” on September 16 is part of this action.
Facebook declined to comment on this story.
Some of the celebrities involved in the boycott
Here's some of the major celebrities who won't be using Facebook or Instagram today...
Kim Kardashian
Leonardo DeCaprio
Katy Perry
Demi Lovato
Ed Helms
Kate Hudson
Orlando Bloom
Isla Fisher
Sasha Baren Cohen
Jaime Foxx
Naomi Campbell
Most read in Phones & Gadgets
In other news, Facebook will pay users to deactivate their accounts for one to six weeks as part of a social experiment.
Facebook sparked widespread fury over a threat to ban news stories in Australia.
And, it recently revealed that it has dismantled a Russian ‘influence operation’ made up of accounts and pages spreading fake news.
What are your thoughts on the social media boycott? Let us know in the comments…
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