Selena Gomez has doubled down on her criticism of technology leaders for allowing ‘hate groups’ and ‘disinformation’ to thrive on social media.
The 28-year-old singer last week released a fiery statement on social media after supporters of President Donald Trump violently stormed the United States Capitol in Washington, DC to protest defeat in the elections for President-elect Joe Biden.
And in a new interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, the star revealed that she felt compelled to speak after witnessing a wave of divisive messages online.
Speaking openly: Selena Gomez has doubled down on her criticisms of technology leaders for allowing ‘hate groups’ and ‘disinformation’ to thrive on social media
She said: ‘I think I started to reach people immediately, directly. I was not afraid to call a Mark Zuckerberg or say what I wanted, because I couldn’t deal with what I was seeing.
“And we are already making progress, I can say, with Facebook and things like that. But for me, I can’t stand the fact that people need to know that there are neo-Nazi groups online, and that there are hate groups online, and misinformation about the US vote on the COVID virus.
– It’s just that they’re not allowed to do that. This is a place where people share their lives, but not to create hatred and hurt people. And you know what? Wounded people hurt people. And I just think that’s the end result.
‘I’m very passionate about it, so I can be really angry, but I just think it’s necessary to call people who are responsible, but at the same time, be able to do what I can.’
Violent: The 28-year-old singer last week issued a fiery statement on social media after supporters of President Donald Trump violently stormed the US Capitol in Washington, DC
Nominee: Multi-talented artist named leaders after Trump supporters stage massive protests in conjunction with Republican parliamentary dispute over election results
At the time of the attack on the Capitol, Selena wrote: ‘Today is the result of allowing people with hatred in their hearts to use platforms that should be used to bring people together and allow them to build a community.’
She continued: ‘Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google, Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, Jack Dorsey, Sundar Pichai, Susan Wojcicki – you all failed with the American people today and I hope you will fix things going forward.’
The artist named the leaders after Trump supporters staged massive protests in conjunction with the Republican Congress dispute over the election results, ahead of President-elect Biden’s planned inauguration on January 20.
In another part of her interview with Zane Lowe, Selena discussed her new single De Una Vez – which means At Once – and her alleged album in Spanish.
Taken to task: Selena earlier this month criticized Facebook for reports that it spread false information about the coronavirus, which she says has deadly consequences
Texas-born Selena of Mexican descent has revealed that she believes her singing voice is better in Spanish than in English.
She said: ‘This is something I wanted to do 10 years ago, working on a Spanish project, because I am very, very proud of my heritage and I really felt that I wanted this to happen.
‘And it happened, and I feel like it’s the perfect time. With all the division in the world, there is something about Latin music that globally makes people feel things, you know?
– You know what is funny, in fact I think I sing better in Spanish. This was something I discovered. It was a lot of work and, look, you can’t pronounce anything wrong.
Compelled: In a new interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, the singer and actress revealed that she felt compelled to speak after witnessing a wave of divisive messages online
Problems: In September, she went to Instagram to share a DM previously sent to Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook about problematic aspects of their platforms
‘It is something that needed to be precise and respected by the audience for which I am going to launch this. Of course, I want everyone to enjoy the song, but I’m targeting my fan base. I am aiming at my heritage and I couldn’t be more excited. ‘
She continued: ‘I think it’s something I’ve always loved, and you’re right. In these five years, this has really become prominent, and you are starting to hear half in English, half in Spanish on the radio more than ever.
‘And it’s a really exciting time. And I think I just hope people understand how much I put my heart into it and how incredible I feel about it. ‘
Earlier this month, Selena criticized Facebook for reports that they released false information about the new coronavirus, which she says has deadly consequences.
Sweet music: In another part of her interview with Zane Lowe, Selena discussed her new single De Una Vez – which means At Once – and her next album in Spanish
She shared a link to a clip from a BBC segment with Imi Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a nonprofit organization in London.
In it, Ahmed said that social media companies have done “absolutely nothing” to prevent the spread of false information about vaccines and other aspects of the pandemic, citing experiments they have carried out.
Selena reacted to the segment in a tweet, saying: ‘Scientific misinformation has cost and will cost lives. @Facebook said it does not allow lies about COVID and vaccines to spread on its platforms.
– So why is all this still happening? Facebook will be responsible for thousands of deaths if it doesn’t act now! ‘
Sensational in Spanish: Selena, born in Texas, of Mexican descent, revealed that she believes her singing voice is better in Spanish than in English
Selena had already summoned the sites following a report (CCDH) that the neo-Nazis managed to conduct trade through both sites.
She said: ‘I am speechless. @Facebook @Instagram how are you tolerating this hate? There are still accounts there, even though you have been notified !! ‘
In September, Selena took Instagram Stories by sharing a DM she had previously sent to Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook about problematic aspects of social media sites.
“Facebook and Instagram are being used to spread hatred, misinformation, racism and intolerance,” she wrote. ‘I’m calling you two to HELP STOP THIS. End groups and users focused on spreading, hate speech violence and misinformation. Our future depends on it. ‘
Spanish heritage: Selena has been open about her desire to produce an album in Spanish for years, only recently seeming to prepare for it with the release of her single