IBM has suspended all of its advertising on social media platform X following a report by Media Matters that found ads from major companies, including IBM, appearing alongside content praising Adolf Hitler and Nazis. The report also revealed that other companies such as Apple and Oracle had their ads placed next to antisemitic content on the platform. IBM responded quickly, stating that it has zero tolerance for hate speech and discrimination and will immediately investigate the matter.
X’s recent controversy has sparked outrage, particularly given the recent war between Israel and Hamas. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who acquired X last year, has been accused of tolerating antisemitic messages on the platform since taking over, and his own tweets have been criticized for their perceived indifference to antisemitism. Musk has been trying to win back big brands on the platform, but has faced resistance due to concerns about the spread of hateful and toxic speech on the platform.
IBM
X’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, has pledged to combat antisemitism and discrimination on the platform, stating that there is no place for it anywhere in the world. The platform has taken steps to label specific posts as “sensitive media” and to prevent accounts that post antisemitic material from being monetized. However, the Anti-Defamation League has accused Musk of allowing antisemitism and hate speech to spread on the platform and has previously expressed concerns about the platform’s handling of incendiary material.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also expressed concern about the spread of antisemitism on X and has met with Musk to discuss the issue. The move by IBM to suspend advertising on X is a significant setback for the platform, which is trying to win back big brands and their advertising money. The controversy surrounding X’s handling of antisemitic content has led to a loss of credibility for the platform, and it remains to be seen whether it can recover and regain the trust of its users and advertisers.
