Auto giant Ford bids adieu to social media ads, presses to 'clean up' the digital ecosystem

SAN FRANCISCO: US auto giant Ford said Monday it would suspend social media advertising for 30 days to evaluate its strategy and press efforts to "clean up" the digital ecosystem.
The move comes amid a growing brand boycott of Facebook, with some companies pausing all social media marketing to avoid what some see as a toxic and polarized environment.

"We are pausing all national social media advertising for the next 30 days to re-evaluate our presence on these platforms," Ford said in an emailed statement.

"The existence of content that includes hate speech, violence and racial injustice on social platforms needs to be eradicated."

Ford said it was working with the Association of National Advertisers "to drive more accountability, transparency and trusted measurement to clean up the digital and social media ecosystem."

Ford's move comes with nearly 200 global firms suspending Facebook ads as part of a protest over how the leading social network handles inflammatory and racially biased content.

Starbucks, Coca-Cola and consumer products giant Unilever have made similar announcements.

Facebook appeared to respond Friday by announcing it would ban a "wider category of hateful content" in ads following consultations with civil rights activists.

Facebook has said it has invested heavily in efforts to stem racism in the wake of civil unrest triggered by the May 25 killing of African American George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

But activists pressing the boycott said Monday Facebook's moves are insufficient.