Sony and PlayStation has suspended all ads from Facebook and Instagram.
Facebook has seen a plethora of companies suspend marketing and advertisement on the site as of late. Sony and the PlayStation brand are the next high profile entities to take this stand. This temporary suspension of marketing also includes the Facebook-owned Instagram.
Sony joins the likes of Coca-Cola, Ford, Honda, and direct competitor Microsoft in solidarity with the #StopHateForProfit campaign. This is due to Facebook’s policies, or lack thereof, on moderating hateful content on the social media platform.
PlayStation supplied a statement via GamesIndustry.biz:
“In support of the #StopHateForProfit campaign, we have globally suspended our Facebook and Instagram activity, including advertising and non-paid content, until the end of July. We stand for working (and playing) together for good.”
“Non-paid content” seems to indicate that Sony and PlayStation will no longer promote new game announcements, PS Blog posts, or use the brand page on Facebook and Instagram whatsoever. This halt in advertisement comes when rumors of a PS5 price reveal are swirling and the final major exclusive, Ghost of Tsushima, is releasing for the PS4.
In late June, the #StopHateForProfit campaign issued an open letter to all companies that advertise on Facebook and its properties.
“Every day, we see ads from companies placed adjacent to hateful content, occupying the same space as extremist recruitment groups and harmful disinformation campaigns. Your ad buying dollars are being used by the platform to increase its dominance in the industry at the expense of vulnerable and marginalized communities who are often targets of hate groups on Facebook.”
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Sony and PlayStation hope that, in joining so many other companies, Facebook will have no choice but to enact a meaningful change to its policies against hateful content.
Do you think Sony’s and others’ actions will make a difference? Will more companies from the gaming atmosphere join the movement against Facebook? Let us know what you think in the comments!
