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Starbucks 'is considering quitting Facebook because moderators are overwhelmed by hate speech'

Freja

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Starbucks 'is considering quitting Facebook because of ''hateful'' responses to its social posts'​

  • Starbucks' Facebook page is followed by 35 million people
  • The company promotes its beverages and thanks its staff and community
  • On the site, it also highlights social issues like BLM protests and anti-Asian hate
  • An internal memo obtained by Buzzfeed showed Starbucks' concern with site
  • Executives at Starbucks were said to be considering shutting the page
  • They objected to the 'hateful comments' left beneath some of their posts
Starbucks is reportedly considering closing its Facebook page as a result of the 'hateful comments' in response to some of their posts.

An internal memo, obtained by Buzzfeed, showed concern within Starbucks at the rhetoric on the site.

Starbucks mainly posts information about their beverages on the page, which is followed by 35 million people - but they also respond to social issues, such as the conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, and the wave of anti-Asian attacks.

Starbucks' Facebook page mainly promotes drinks, but also includes social commentary

Starbucks' Facebook page mainly promotes drinks, but also includes social commentary

Starbucks is considering removing its Facebook page after being deluged by hate speech

Starbucks is considering removing its Facebook page after being deluged by hate speech

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'Starbucks is in the process of evaluating their organic presence on FB, and whether they should continue to have a presence on the platform at all,' a Facebook employee wrote to their colleagues earlier this week.

'Anytime they post (organically) in regards to social issues or their mission & values work (e.g. BLM, LGBTQ, sustainability/climate change, etc.) they are overwhelmed by negative/insensitive, hate speech related comments on their posts.'

The Facebook employee said that Starbucks was having problems moderating the avalanche of hate speech, and was unable to disable comments on their page.

Much of the offensive commentary is swiftly removed.

However, the site is filled with people expressing disappointment at Starbucks for weighing in on issues such as Chauvin's conviction.

'Just stop it and stick to coffee,' said one woman.

Another accused the company of 'dancing over graves for political points.'

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Starbucks' deliberations come as Facebook is facing a reckoning over the content allowed on its pages.

The social media giant last week ruled that Donald Trump's page could not be restored, amid continuing fears about his power to spread unrest and incite violence.

Last week in the United Kingdom, the Premier League and its 20 associated soccer teams boycotted Facebook and Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, for four days in an attempt to bring awareness to the constant racist abuse that players face on those platforms.

In 2020 Starbucks was one of hundreds of companies to stop advertising on Facebook as part of the 'Stop Hate for Profit' campaign, which sought to pressure the world's largest social network into taking a harder stance on racist and hateful content.

On its Facebook page, Starbucks says it hopes the site can be an extension of their cafes, where conversations can be held over coffee.

'Come on in. This space is not so different from your neighborhood Starbucks,' they write.

'It's a place where people from all over come together for conversation and great coffee.

'We welcome your ideas, feedback, and constructive criticism.'

A giant pride flag flies over the Starbucks headquarters in Seattle in June 2014

A giant pride flag flies over the Starbucks headquarters in Seattle in June 2014

Sanja Gould, a Starbucks spokesperson, would not confirm if the coffee company was considering removing its Facebook page.

She told Buzzfeed that that Seattle-based company stands 'against hate speech.'

'While some changes have been implemented, we believe more can be done to create welcoming and inclusive online communities,' she said.

'We work collaboratively with all companies we do business with to ensure any advertising done on our behalf is in alignment with our brand standards.'

In a statement, Facebook spokesperson Dani Lever said that Facebook offers 'tools to limit this content from appearing on partners' pages including ways for brands to control those who can comment on their posts.'

'Our teams work with our clients around the world on various issues and as this post shows we are working with them to keep hate off of their pages,' she said.
 

ZeeZeeblue

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Just don't allow comments... turn them off.
Only allow likes.
A lot of pages need to start doing that.


Problem solved.
 

enchanted

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I agree. They should get rid of the page. Everyone knows who they are. Keep social media where YOU can CONTROL the comments. You can turn them off on IG.
 

Games

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They should just deal with the comments. If they are bold enough to call out racism white supremacy, they should deal with the blowback. They are on the right side of history, so no need to fret. Ben & Jerry's goes way harder, and they don't complain about racist whites having an issue.

Starbucks has a good product. I like the comment the CEO said.
 

Rexo

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The best part of waking up, is Folger’s in your cup!

Facebook is a cesspool. It’s funny how Starbucks posted a photo about stopping Asian hate and look who’s mad?
 

LoveyDove

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They should just deal with the comments. If they are bold enough to call out racism white supremacy, they should deal with the blowback. They are on the right side of history, so no need to fret. Ben & Jerry's goes way harder, and they don't complain about racist whites having an issue.

Starbucks has a good product. I like the comment the CEO said.


Agreed. They make more than enough as a corporation to put their money where there mouth is and hire a couple of extra folks to moderate the comments. I'm sure there are people who like to get paid to sit at home and delete sh!tty comments in their pjs for 8 hours a day.

On the other hand, if this is them trying to push Facebook, then good on them too I guess. That is if they truly have the pull to start a trend among the top advertisers and that forces Facebook to be accountable for what they allow on their platform. But I think most companies are too chickenshit to leave the most effective advertising platforms, and the Facebook execs know that.
 

MERVEILLEUSE

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They don’t actually need Facebook. Karen n’ nem stay mad at Starbucks, have been mad for years, yet they still buy those frappuccinos and will never give them up. If all that page is doing is giving them grief, they should delete it.
 
Last edited:

SouthernNotCountry

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Facebook comments are always a cesspool of hate (but racist ish I report NEVER gets removed). I follow Ben & Jerry's page and I don't even know why they try it on there, B &J's were "woke" way before it was a trend. Racists and homophobes get ate tf up so fast. Starbucks needs to hire more moderators or just delete.
 

madgoulding

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But wait I thought all those trump groupies left Facebook bc he was banned? Now they stayed and harass Starbucks? Lol

anyways I love me a venti strawberry açaí refresher. It is chefs kiss
 

TheCoolHam

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why are they shocked? i thought it was basic knowledge that if you post about anything on social media you're going to get haters all over it.

thats why my old ass doesnt use any of it. that and im not giving my phone number to any of these companies.
 

Oooo

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But theyre allowed to close it down though? That doesnt sound right.


Facebook housing racism is coming back to shut them down.

they should be able to disable comments on their individual posts. Either the folks at Starbucks are too stupid to figure it out or Facebook has different rules for big brands.
 

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