The Impact of X Displaying Ads Alongside Harmful Content Amid U.K. Riots
In a recent report released by The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), it has been discovered that X continues to display ads alongside harmful and/or offensive content, particularly surrounding the recent race riots in the U.K.
The CCDH report reveals that X has been serving ads from major brands near posts containing misinformation related to the recent unrest. One particular instance highlighted in the report involved X displaying ads for well-known brands such as GlaxoSmithKline, the British Medical Association, Betfred, and the International Olympics Committee near content from key U.K. accounts promoting lies and hate in the aftermath of the Southport attack.
Furthermore, the CCDH report highlights that many of the profiles posting provocative content related to the riots are part of X’s Creator Ad Revenue Share Program, indicating that X is essentially compensating users for sharing controversial and divisive remarks.
X has previously dismissed similar claims made by the CCDH, attributing them to manipulations in the ad serving system. However, the reports from CCDH underscore the potential risks associated with displaying ads in conjunction with harmful content, prompting numerous advertisers to reconsider their advertising strategies on X.
These revelations come at a time when X CEO Elon Musk himself is facing criticism for amplifying comments from controversial figures, which, in turn, may have instigated the recent riots. While Musk advocates for unrestricted free speech on the platform, the repercussions of endorsing hate speech could have detrimental implications for his business.
As the debate surrounding free speech and content moderation intensifies, it becomes essential to weigh the consequences of allowing harmful content to proliferate on platforms like X. While Musk contends that there is a broader agenda to restrict free speech, the primary concern remains the impact of such content on users and advertisers.
Despite the potential legal repercussions that Musk may face in response to the CCDH report, the prevailing evidence suggests that X is indeed promoting harmful content, thus warranting a closer examination of its advertising practices.