Amid growing concerns about ads appearing alongside pro-Nazi content and hate speech on social media platform X, both IBM and the European Union (EU) have decided to pull their advertisements. The move follows a report by liberal advocacy group Media Matters, which revealed that ads from companies like Apple, Oracle, NBCUniversal’s Bravo network, and Comcast were also placed next to antisemitic material on X.
IBM, expressing zero tolerance for hate speech, promptly suspended all advertising on X after reports linked its ads to content praising Nazis. Other companies mentioned in the report, including Apple, Oracle, NBCUniversal, and Comcast, have not yet commented on their next steps.
Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, has faced accusations of tolerating antisemitic messages on the platform since his acquisition last year. Musk’s recent tweets endorsing an antisemitic conspiracy theory further intensified the controversy. The White House condemned Musk’s tweets, stating they run against American core values.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino, hired by Musk to rebuild ties with advertisers, affirmed the platform’s commitment to combating antisemitism and discrimination. Media Matters found that accounts posting antisemitic material on X will no longer be monetizable, and specific posts will be labeled “sensitive media.”
In response to Musk’s tweets, the head of the Anti-Defamation League criticized the use of influence to validate antisemitic theories, calling it dangerous. Musk, in turn, expressed offense at the ADL’s messaging, accusing the group of promoting anti-white racism.
The EU’s executive branch announced a pause in its advertising on X and other social media platforms due to a surge in hate speech. The European Commission has been proactive in addressing disinformation and hate speech, recently making a formal request to X for information on handling such content related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Notably, X isn’t the only platform grappling with problematic content during the conflict. TikTok removed the hashtag #lettertoamerica after users posted videos sympathizing with Osama bin Laden’s letter justifying the 9/11 attacks. The EU’s decision to freeze social media ad efforts underscores the broader challenge of disinformation and hate speech on these platforms.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
