The world will, at one point, unite against the masters of the universe, to be precise, Silicone Valley apps like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc etc who want to dictate what you do, think or even post on their platforms.
Senior editor of this site, Cyprian Nyakundi has been battling the masters of the universe for the past 5 plus years since they first started censoring the content he shares on their platforms.
In 2017, the Twitter account @C_NyakundiH which had over 1,000,000 followers–the most influential Twitter account in Kenya- was permanently suspended after targeted malicious reporting.
In October 2019, the Cyprian Nyakundi Facebook page was also suspended after the same actors reported it to the masters of the universe, Facebook. Facebook also suspended another popular Kenyan days after that.
Our YouTube page with over 10,000 subscribers was also suspended after targeted reporting. That is why we launched Nyakundi TV.
All these were done to nail the blogging coffin of the Chief editor. The Masters of the Universe and their cartels wanted to ensure that we stop blogging and exposing the fraud that goes at the top levels of government and corporate sector.
It usually takes time to build communities and one must put effort and it is important to do that on communities that Kenyans understand.
Why be on Twitter where what Americans do influence the platform and the change of things affects even Kenyans that are not part of the toxic American political ecosystem?
Why build a huge community and be suspended one-day because of what Americans do that affects you too?
Africans have to wake, if not, dust up their super intelligent inovative brains and rocket out of these masters of the Universe platforms. You can not be an influential person in a platform that can de-platform you in one click and you have nothing nor nowhere you can take them.
Last week, Facebook permanently suspended Africa’s not only popular but also most influential Group- Group Kenya– from their platform.
See, that is what i keep on telling you guys. One click and a forum with more than 2.3 Million Active users is no longer in existence. What will happen to you with your handful followers!
To big tech, you only become human when they want to sell your personal information. Cambridge Analytica sold Kenyans data but no one ever questioned. Only Americans made noise and they were fined. As Africans, we have to use their laws!
We just need space to give our views without threats of being reported to Jack Dorsey or Mark Zuckerberg.
That is why the senior Editor has been calling for Kenyans to come up with many Kenyan-based independent forums, apps, social media sites. The exodus from Silicone valley Apps is inevitable.
In fact, it has already started. There is an escalating movement to siphon advertising away from Facebook in an effort to pressure the company into doing more to prevent racist and violent information from being shared on its social networking service.
The campaign, called “Stop Hate for Profit,” and organized by the NAACP, Color for Change, the Anti-Defamation League, Sleeping Giants, Free Press, and Common Sense Media, already has some big names involved, including a large swath of the outdoor apparel industry.
“From the monetization of hate speech to discrimination in their algorithms to the proliferation of voter suppression to the silencing of Black voices, Facebook has refused to take responsibility for hate, bias, and discrimination growing on their platforms,” writes the Color for Change website.
In a statement to various media outlets, Facebook has said that it respects brands’ decisions and that it “remains focused” on removing hate speech and providing voting information.
The company’s COO Sheryl Sandberg also wrote a post on the company’s website announcing commitments to support the Black community, though many of boycotting companies began after the post.
Here is a list of some of the biggest companies that are participating in the boycott so far and their statements;
Verizon
“We have strict content policies in place and have zero tolerance when they are breached, we take action,” New York-based Verizon said in a statement. “We’re pausing our advertising until Facebook can create an acceptable solution that makes us comfortable.”
Patagonia
Patagonia is proud to join the Stop Hate for Profit campaign. We will pull all ads on Facebook and Instagram, effective immediately, through at least the end of July, pending meaningful action from the social media giant.
— Patagonia (@patagonia) June 21, 2020
Arc’teryx
We need a break @facebook. Effective immediately, we will be halting our global advertising with @Facebook & @Instagram until at least the end of July in support of the #stophateforprofit campaign & donating those dollars towards building more inclusive outdoors.
— Arc’teryx (@Arcteryx) June 23, 2020
The North Face
We’re in. We’re Out @Facebook #StopHateForProfit
Learn more: https://t.co/uAT7u7mjBG https://t.co/jVxTIH5ThQ
— The North Face (@thenorthface) June 19, 2020
REI
For 82 years, we have put people over profits. We’re pulling all Facebook/Instagram advertising for the month of July. #StopHateForProfit
Learn more: https://t.co/XCQSnUO8XJ https://t.co/Jp1GaKdCUN
— REI (@REI) June 19, 2020
Eddie Bauer
In support of the #StopHateForProfit initiative, Eddie Bauer will suspend all paid ads on Facebook and Instagram through the end of July, effective immediately.
Learn more here: https://t.co/0oMnahL1Mh— Eddie Bauer (@eddiebauer) June 24, 2020
Magnolia Pictures
In solidarity with the #StopHateForProfit movement, Magnolia Pictures has chosen to stop advertising on Facebook and Instagram, starting immediately, through at least the end of July. We are seeking meaningful change at Facebook and the end to their amplification of hate speech.
— Magnolia Pictures (@MagnoliaPics) June 23, 2020
Ben & Jerry’s
We will pause all paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram in the US in support of the #StopHateForProfit campaign. Facebook, Inc. must take the clear and unequivocal actions to stop its platform from being used to spread and amplify racism and hate. >>>https://t.co/7OpxtcbDGg pic.twitter.com/I989Uk9V3h
— Ben & Jerry’s (@benandjerrys) June 23, 2020