Starbucks may be open for business for a while, but not for social media advertising.
Jessica Dolcourt / CNET
Starbucks joined a growing list of companies boycotting ads on social networks on Sunday Hate speech on the platforms.
“We believe that more needs to be done to create inviting and inclusive online communities, and we believe that both leaders and policymakers need to come together to bring about real change,” said a short statement that announced will stop advertising on all social media platforms.
Starbucks has not indicated how long advertising will be stopped, only that it will because “internal discussions with our media partners and civil rights organizations will continue to stop the spread of hate speech”.
The coffee giant is just the newest big advertiser make such an announcement in a boycott originally organized by civil rights groups that started with Facebook. It has since expanded to other important social networks.
The consumer goods giant Unilever announced on Friday that advertising on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in the US will be interrupted at least until the end of the year. Soon afterwards, Coca-Cola said it would take at least a month and the boycott would be extended to YouTube. On Saturday, liquor company Diageo added that it will pause paid advertising on major social media platforms worldwide from July 1st.
Some of the other brands that have boycotted to varying degrees are Honda and Hershey. Verizon, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream maker (owned by Unilever) and The North Face outdoor clothing brand.