Apple, Disney Pause Advertising On Elon Musk-Run Social Media App X: Here’s Why – News18

Major tech brands, including Apple, Disney, and IBM, have paused all of their advertising on the social network X, formerly known as Twitter, according to media reports.

As per reports, Apple and other major advertisers are pausing their ads on X after Elon Musk endorsed antisemitic conspiracy theories.

Disney, Warner Bros, Discovery, Paramount, Comcast/NBCUniversal, Lionsgate, and the European Commission have also reportedly halted advertising on X due to “widespread concerns about the spread of disinformation, IANS reported.

IBM also announced this week that it is withdrawing its ads, and the European Union has decided not to advertise on the social network.

According to MacRumors, the White House previously criticised Musk’s comments, and X employees reported receiving calls from other companies expressing displeasure with Musk.

The non-profit organization Media Matters brought attention to the issue, pointing out that as Musk delves into white nationalist and antisemitic conspiracy theories, his social media platform has been displaying ads for major brands like Apple, Bravo (NBCUniversal), IBM, Oracle, and Xfinity (Comcast) alongside content that supports Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party.

“X has also reinstated numerous accounts of bigots and paid far-right extremists, apparently including a pro-Hitler and Holocaust denier account, as part of its creator ad revenue sharing programme,” Media Matters said in a report.

During all of this Musk-induced chaos, corporate advertisements have also been appearing on pro-Hitler, Holocaust denial, white nationalist, pro-violence, and neo-Nazi accounts, the report added.

Elon Musk on Saturday posted on X: “Media Matters is pure evil.”

X CEO Linda Yaccarino said that their stance has consistently been firm against discrimination by anyone. She stated, “When it comes to this platform, X has been unequivocal about our endeavors to combat antisemitism and discrimination. There’s no place for it anywhere in the world—it’s ugly and wrong. Full stop.”