Kim Kardashian and other celebrities boycotting Instagram

Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, Demi Lovato and more celebs are letting their voices be heard, (figuratively) disapproving of hate speech and the spread of misinformation on social media. The stars are joining the StopHateForProfit campaign, which will have them suspending their Facebook and Instagram accounts on Wednesday.

Although some social media networks have just started incorporating fact-checkers on posts they deem false or deceitful. The ongoing campaign is advocating for those sites to hold themselves accountable for hate on their platforms. On the campaign website it states, “Social media must prioritize people over profit, and they must do it now.”

#StopHateForProfit’s goal is to stop these companies from valuing profits more than the hate that’s rooted in bigotry, racism, antisemitism, and disinformation.

Kim Kardashian took her frustration to her platforms sharing, “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 went on to say, “Misinformation shared on social media has a serious impact on our elections and undermines our democracy.” She ended by encouraging her fans to join her as she “freezes” her Instagram and Facebook accounts on September 16.

This action is in response to Facebook’s failure to take action when a militia group sent out a confrontational message telling people to arm themselves during political unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, after police shot Jacob Blake. Mark Zuckerberg eventually admitted that Facebook “made an operational mistake” in failing to remove the “Kenosha Guard” group from the platform.

The campaign has received support from more than 1,200 businesses and nonprofits so far, and other celebrities such as Naomi Campbell, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom have also joined the movement.

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Amber McTerry

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