Microsoft Paused Advertisement On Facebook, Instagram Globally, Expressing Concerns Over Inappropriate Content

Microsoft Corporation MSFT in May paused all advertisements on Facebook Inc. FB and subsidiary Instagram's social media platforms in the United States, Axios reported Monday.

What Happened

The veteran technology company recently further paused all advertisements on Facebook and Instagram across the globe, according to Axios.

In an internal statement accessed by Axios, Microsoft objected to its ads appearing next to content it deems inappropriate, including "hate speech, pornography, terrorist content, etc."

The Redmond, Washington-based company stated that it has been in communication with the top leadership at Facebook about what it will take for it to resume advertising on the latter's social media platforms.

"The timeline on resuming our media spending is dependent on the positive actions they take, but I expect our pause will continue through August," Microsoft Chief Marketing Officer Chris Capossela said, as reported by Axios.

Why It Matters

Facebook has lost about $60 billion in the last two trading sessions, as the company faces a string of boycotts over its stance on harmful content on its platform.

Starbucks Corporation SBUX, Coca Cola Co. KO, Diageo plc DEO, Verizon Communications Inc. VZ, and Unilever NV UN subsidiary Ben and Jerry are some of the high-profile companies to have joined the "Stop Hate for Profit" campaign.

Price Action

Facebook shares closed 2.1% higher at $220.64 on Monday and traded slightly higher in the after-hours session.

Microsoft stock closed nearly 1.1% higher at $198.44 per share and added another 0.3% in after-hours at $199.