Kim Kardashian to freeze Facebook and Instagram accounts over spread of misinformation and hate speech
Kim Kardashian West is calling out Facebook.
Kardashian West on Tuesday said she will be freezing her Facebook and Instagram accounts for a day in protest of the company's handling of hate speech and misinformation.
"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," she wrote, asking her nearly 190 million Instagram followers to join her by freezing their accounts on Wednesday.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This comes as part of the "Stop Hate for Profit" campaign against Facebook, which spawned an advertiser boycott earlier this year. Kardashian West is one of a number of celebrities who plan to freeze their accounts in protest of Facebook on Wednesday, joining Katy Perry, Jennifer Lawrence, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Mark Ruffalo, per The Hill.
Facebook has drawn heavy criticism for a number of its policies, including its decision to allow politicians to run ads with false claims. The company recently announced a series of changes that will be implemented ahead of the 2020 presidential election, with plans to not accept new political ads in the week prior to the election. Facebook will also place a label on posts by candidates who attempt to declare victory prematurely. The Stop Hate for Profit campaign says, however, that Facebook's "unchecked and vague 'changes' are falling dangerously short of what is necessary to protect our democracy."
In her post on Tuesday, Kardashian West wrote that "misinformation shared on social media has a serious impact on our elections and undermines our democracy," also asking followers to visit the Stop Hate for Profit website for more information "on how to preserve truth."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published