Selena Gomez has doubled her criticism of technology leaders for spreading ‘hate groups’ and ‘misinformation’ on social media.
The 28-year-old singer issued a fiery statement on social media last week after supporters of President Donald Trump violently stormed the US Capitol in Washington, DC, to protest his election loss to President-elect Joe Biden.
And in a new interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, the star reveals that she feels compelled to speak out after seeing a wave of divisive messages online.
Pronounced: Selena Gomez has doubled her criticism of technology leaders for spreading ‘hate groups’ and ‘misinformation’ on social media.
She said: ‘I think I immediately started reaching out directly to people. I was not afraid to call a Mark Zuckerberg or speak what I wanted to speak, because I could not handle what I saw.
‘And I can already make progress with Facebook and things like that. But for me, I can not stand the fact that people need to know that there are neo-nazi groups online, and that there are hate groups online, and misinformation from the US voting on the COVID virus.
“It’s just, they may not do it. It is supposed to be a place where people share their lives, but not to create hatred and hurt people. And you know what? Hurt people, hurt people. And I just think that’s what the conclusion is.
“I’m very passionate about it, so I can be properly warmed up, but I just think it’s necessary to call out people who are responsible but at the same time able to do what I can.”
Violent: The 28-year-old singer issued a fiery statement on social media last week after supporters of President Donald Trump violently stormed the US Capitol in Washington, DC
Nominated: The versatile entertainer named leaders after Trump supporters staged massive protests along with the Republican congressional dispute over the election results
At the time of the attack on the Capitol, Selena wrote: ‘Today, the result is that people with hatred in their hearts are allowed to use platforms that need to be used to bring people together and enable people to have a to build community. ‘
She continues: “Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google, Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, Jack Dorsey, Sundar Pichai, Susan Wojcicki – you all failed the American people today and I hope you will fix things in the future.”
The entertainer named the leaders after Trump supporters staged massive protests along with the Republican congressional dispute over the election results, ahead of President-elect Biden’s inauguration on January 20.
Elsewhere in her interview with Zane Lowe, Selena discussed her new single De Una Vez – which immediately means – and her rumored upcoming Spanish language album.
Addressed: Earlier this month, Selena took to Facebook over reports that they had spread false information about the coronavirus, which she said had deadly consequences.
Selena, born in Texas, which is a Mexican heritage, has revealed that she believes her singing voice is better in Spanish than English.
She said: ‘This is something I have wanted to do for ten years while working on a Spanish project, because I am so proud of my heritage and really felt that I wanted it to happen.
‘And it happened, and I feel it’s the perfect timing. Just with all the divisions in the world, there is something to Latin music that makes people worldwide just feel things, you know?
‘Do you know what’s funny, I think I sing better in Spanish? It was something I discovered. It was a lot of work, and look, you can say nothing wrong.
Forced: In a new interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, the singer and actress reveals that she feels compelled to speak after seeing a wave of divisive messages online
Issues: In September, she went to Instagram to share a DM previously sent to Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg regarding problematic aspects of their platforms
‘This is something that should be precise and respected by the audience for which I am going to release it. Of course I want everyone to enjoy the music, but I direct my fan group. I direct my heritage, and I could not be more excited. ‘
She continues: ‘I think it was something I have always loved, and you are right. Within five years it has become really prominent and you are starting to listen to half English, half Spanish radio more than ever.
“And it’s really an exciting time. And I think I just hope people understand how much I care about this and how wonderful I feel about it. ‘
Earlier this month, Selena put Facebook to the test on reports that they had leaked the spread of false information about the new coronavirus, which she said had deadly consequences.
Sweet music: Elsewhere in her interview with Zane Lowe, Selena discusses her new single De Una Vez – which means At Once – and her upcoming Spanish album
She shared a link to a clip from a BBC segment with Imi Ahmed, CEO of Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a London non-profit organization.
In it, Ahmed said that social media companies did ‘absolutely nothing’ to stop the spread of false information about vaccines and other aspects of the pandemic, citing experiments they did.
Selena responded in a tweet to the segment, saying: ‘Scientific disinformation costs and will cost lives. @Facebook said they do not allow lies about COVID and vaccines to be spread on their platforms.
‘Why is this still happening? Facebook is going to be responsible for thousands of deaths if they do not act now! ‘
Sensational in Spanish: Texas-born Selena, who is of Mexican heritage, has revealed that she believes her singing voice in Spanish is better than English
Selena called out the sites earlier following a (CCDH) report that Neo Nazis was able to trade through both sites.
She said: ‘I am speechless. @Facebook @Instagram how do you tolerate this hatred? There are still bills there, even if you have been notified !! ‘
In September, Selena went to Instagram Stories to share a DM she previously sent to Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg regarding problematic aspects of social media sites.
“Facebook and Instagram are used to spread hatred, misinformation, racism and discord,” she wrote. “I appeal to both of you to help stop this. Please shut down groups and users aimed at spreading violence and misinformation about hate speech. Our future depends on it. ‘
Spanish Heritage: Selena has been wanting to produce a Spanish album for years, and it looks like she wants to hit it off recently with the release of her single