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What is #StopHateForProfit? Campaign prompts Kim Kardashian, other celebs to ‘freeze’ social media accounts

Many celebrities, through the campaign, have accused the social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram of ‘undermining democracy’ and making profits off hate groups hosted on their site  

Reality television star Kim Kardashian, who enjoys millions of followers on social media, has decided to “freeze” her accounts on different platforms on September 16, as a part of the Stop Hate For Profit campaign, which has also received the support of many other celebrities. 

The virtual campaign led by the coalition of civil rights groups is directed at Facebook’s policy for content surrounding hate and violence, which, according to the stars partaking in the campaign, has been spreading misinformation and dangerous political propagandas. Many celebrities through the campaign, have accused the social media platforms of ‘undermining democracy’ and making profits off hate groups hosted on their site.  

The original #StopHateForProfit campaign initiated by the NAACP, Color of Change, and Anti-Defamation League, previously saw advertisers come together to stop using social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to promote their products and services after accusing them of propagating hate and extremism. 

The campaign covered a wide range of issues including racism, violence, hate, and election misinformation. It urged Facebook and other platforms to only present information that is factually correct and prohibit calls to violence by politicians in any format. It also focused on taking down groups with leaning towards White supremacy, militia, antisemitism, and conspiracies. 

On September 15, Kim shared a long post on her Instagram handle saying she “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”, even though she loves directly connecting with her fans. “Misinformation shared on social media has a serious impact on our elections and undermines our democracy,” she has added further. 

The virtual campaign is similarly joined and promoted by a list of top celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Katy Perry, Mark Ruffalo, Naomi Campbell, and Kerry Washington among many others. 

The ‘Great Gatsby’ star took to his Instagram to announce that he was participating in the campaign. He wrote, “I do use Instagram and Facebook, but I want it to be a force for good - not hate, violence, and disinformation. This should be an opportunity for Facebook to work with these organizations and the community at large to make it a better, safer platform for all. Please join me in not posting for 24 hours this Wednesday, Sep 16.”

Meanwhile, sharing a quote by George Orwell, Perry wrote on Instagram, “I love sharing my music and my life with you on Instagram and Facebook, but TBH I can’t sit idly by while these platforms turn a blind eye to groups and posts spreading hateful disinformation and intentional confusion” before announcing that she would be freezing her account for 24 hours. 

The campaign is reportedly supported by more than 1,200 companies who have joined the boycott, including brands such as Unilever, Verizon, Adidas and Ford. A couple of other celebrities also took to Twitter to protest Facebook and Instagram policies. Actor Mark Ruffalo, who is also an advocate for climate change, tweeted, “Facebook claims they address hate, yet they continue to look the other way as racist, violent groups and posts sow division and split America apart – only taking steps after people are killed. (1/2)”

Meanwhile, the 'Two and a Half Men' star Ashton Kutcher tweeted, “These tools were not built to spread hate, violence, and misinformation, but when companies and individuals benefit from these behaviors, financially or otherwise, it becomes their responsibility to mitigate the unintended utilization. #StopHateForProfit”

'The Dictator' star Sacha Baron Cohen is one among many celebrities who have come forward to express their disappointment in Facebook policies. He tweeted, “Amazing - every hour, more people are joining tomorrow's Instagram freeze to tell Facebook to #StopHateForProfit Advertisers, FB employees and users are fed up. Facebook - stop spreading the hate, lies and conspiracies that inflame our societies!”