Major technology firms are distancing themselves from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and subsequent scrutiny over the SPLC’s “hate map” practices. These corporate shifts highlight mounting concerns among investors and conservative groups about the accuracy, bias and influence of nonprofit watchdog designations.
According to reporting, the SPLC placed Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, on its “hate map” just months before his death, labeling it alongside extremist groups. The alleged killer reportedly said he targeted Kirk because he “spreads too much hate.” In the aftermath, shareholder proposals were filed at major firms (including Alphabet Inc., Meta Platforms, Mastercard Incorporated, Salesforce, Inc. and Amazon.com, Inc.) urging an examination of corporate reliance on SPLC‑provided data.
Corporate responses include direct denials of ongoing relationships with the SPLC. YouTube stated it has not used the SPLC “hate map” for at least three years. Meta said it “does not work with the SPLC and has never relied on its ‘hate map’ when creating our policies.” Benevity, a platform linking nonprofits and major corporations, said it “has never relied on the SPLC hate map to determine whether nonprofits are eligible for the platform.”
The incident has intensified scrutiny over how organizations like the SPLC influence corporate decisions, particularly in areas involving nonprofit funding, content moderation, and reputational risk. As companies reassess their partnerships, questions remain about the standards used to define and classify so-called hate groups in the public square.
