Another major advertiser is pulling its ads from X amid a growing backlash to antisemitic content on the platform. Axios that Apple has opted to “pause” all advertising on the platform after its ads were discovered near pro-Nazi posts and X owner Elon Musk appeared to an antisemitic conspiracy theory.
Apple’s pullback comes one day after IBM its ad campaigns on X following a report from watchdog group Media Matters, which the company’s ads appearing next to pro-Nazi content on X. Media Matters also highlighted ads from Apple, Comcast and Oracle, which it said also appeared adjacent to pro-Nazi memes and posts.
An executive at X previously told Engadget that the posts identified by Media Matters were no longer monetizable and that “the X system is not intentionally placing a brand actively next to this type of content, nor is a brand actively trying to support this content with placement.” X CEO Linda Yaccarino that “X has also been extremely clear about our efforts to combat antisemitism and discrimination.”
Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, but this wouldn’t be the first time the company has raised concerns about the direction of the platform under Musk’s leadership, and its role as a major advertiser. Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company was “constantly” questioning whether it should continue advertising on X. Apple also briefly paused ads on X (then Twitter) , amid a “misunderstanding” between the two CEOs. Musk and Cook later met at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino and apparently the disagreement.
