Social media platforms Facebook and Instagram were swept with many celebrities participating in the #StopHateforProfit campaign by “freezing” their social media and refusing to post. The 24-hour boycott, which took place on September 16, 2020, intended to pressure social media enterprises to fight hate, racist propaganda, and disinformation. Public figures such as Kim Kardashian, Naomi Campbell, Katy Perry, Kerry Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Michael B. Jordan all joined this protest in support of the movement.

“I love that I can connect directly with you through Instagram and Facebook, but I can’t sit by and stay silent while these platforms continue to allow the spreading of hate, propaganda, and misinformation – created by groups to sow division and split America apart – only to take steps after people are killed,” Kim Kardashian wrote to her 188 million Instagram followers.

Many people disagreed on whether this freeze was going to help. The backlash took to Twitter, with complaints of how the freeze was a publicity stunt representing a performative way to take action. Others claim that this freeze is only the first step in raising awareness of disinformation and ridding social media platforms of the spread of hate.