Instagram just launched the next attack in the corporate campaign to marginalize gun owners.
The Facebook-owned social media giant will not allow influencers to be paid to promote vaping, tobacco products, or weapons, according to CNBC.
The move comes as dozens of other corporate entities work to crack down on legal gun owners. Companies like YouTube, Citigroup, Shopify, Walmart, Kickstarter, and FedEx have all announced policies in recent years designed to restrict lawful products and impede gun enthusiasts from making money selling and promoting firearm-related items.
Instagram’s new policy will prohibit companies from promoting “branded content” that advertises firearms. “Branded content” is a feature that allows a company to promote a post by an “influencer” (a user with a large following) to reach a wider audience. The social media company had already banned advertisements that promote firearms, but until now companies could “boost” posts from private accounts by paying Instagram to send those posts to more people.
The “branded content” feature was announced in June of this year, and an Instagram spokesperson told CNBC that this is the first time they’ve restricted the types of items that can be advertised using the feature.
SEE ALSO: Facebook Censorship Continues: Minors Will No Longer See Ads for Gun Accessories
Instagram’s “influencer” industry has exploded since the company’s founding in 2010. Today, millions of individuals work in markets from fashion to fitness to firearms to build a following big enough to attract partnerships with businesses looking to promote their products. Some estimate that businesses will spend as much as $15 billion on influencers by 2022, up from $8 billion in 2019.
This latest policy from Instagram will significantly hinder the ability of Instagram influencers to make money by partnering with gun companies.
Another tech company, Shopify, made a similar move last year that forced gun companies to scramble to keep their businesses from closing. Without warning, Shopify announced that it would prohibit the sale of lawful, non-firearm items such as flash suppressors, threaded barrels, pistol grips, and even magazines larger than 10 rounds.
Exclusive: A ‘Program of Discrimination’: Kickstarter Refuses to Help Company Making Child Locks for Guns
Franklin Armory had to work practically overnight to find another host for their website, and company president Jay Jacobson saw the policy change as a small part of a much larger societal movement.
“History is replete with examples of discriminatory practices employed against various societal segments,” Jacobson pointed out. “In almost every case, our nation has legislated equal protection for those segments to prevent unfair practices and discrimination. If Congress does not act soon to provide equal protection to all businesses, it is not too much of a leap to see how only approved businesses or people will be able to buy or sell in future financial markets.”
It’s utterly amazing how ignorant people are of their American heritage and the sacrifices made by those patriots in the creation of this great nation.
When private entities refuse to remain neutral, they no longer provide a service but their agenda.
Since the First Amendment doesn’t apply to these companies they can do whatever they want, it’s up to us to determine if they can get away with it.
One word, Boycott!
No.
Build your own platforms.
Isn’t it great that the social media platforms are here to save us from ourselves?
Why even give them the time of day? Take your business to someone who appreciates it. We have had great online resources like Gunsamerica for at least 20 years. Screw facebook
Everyone in my circle of friends and relatives has been notified to get off this socialist “rag”
Sue the SOBs.
We need alternative social media forums which are conservative or libertarian minded….won’t get any such “protection” from this Congress