Facebook Ad Controversy: Patagonia Joins Boycott Against Company Over Hateful Content On Platform

Outdoor clothing line Patagonia has joined the growing number of companies boycotting Facebook ads as part of the #StopHateForProfit campaign.

The pushback at the heart of this movement was initiated last week after several social activism groups – the Anti-Defamation League, the NAACP, Sleeping Giants, Color of Change, Free Press and Common Sense – called out the social media giant for its “long history of allowing racist, violent and verifiably false content to run rampant on its platform.”

“Patagonia is proud to join the Stop Hate for Profit campaign,” the Southern California-based company said in a tweet Sunday. “We will pull all ads on Facebook and Instagram, effective immediately, through at least the end of July, pending meaningful action from the social media giant.”

The campaign has also called out Facebook for allowing its platform to be used for “widespread voter suppression efforts, using targeted disinformation aimed at Black voters.” Additionally, it accuses the company of allowing incitements of violence against protestors at recent demonstrations against police brutality.

“For too long, Facebook has failed to take sufficient steps to stop the spread of hateful lies and dangerous propaganda on its platform,” Patagonia’s statement continues. “From secure elections to a global pandemic to racial justice, the stakes are too high to sit back and let the company continue to be complicit in spreading disinformation and fomenting fear and hatred.”

Patagonia, which was founded in 1973, has often been involved in political and social movements, having past championed environmental and conservationist causes. In late 2017, the company even sued President Trump and the federal government for rolling back protections on national monuments.

Previously, companies like The North Face, REI, and Upwork also pledged their support for #StopHateForProfit campaign.