PayPal, the American payment giant is collaborating with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a US-based non-profit to research how extremist and hate groups in the country exploit financial platforms to support their illegal actions.
The program, which will be directed by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism, will focus on finding and stopping the financial flows that fund white supremacist and anti-government organizations. This is the latest effort by PayPal in combating racism, hate and extremism across its platforms and the industry.
Aaron Karczmer Chief Risk Officer PayPal
“By identifying partners across sectors with common goals and complementary resources, we can make an even greater impact than any of us could do on our own. We are excited to partner with the ADL, other non-profits and law enforcement in our fight against hate in all its forms. “As the son of a Holocaust survivor I know all too well the real world impact that comes from hatred and extremist groups.”
Antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, anti-immigrant, anti-Black, anti-Hispanic, and anti-Asian hatred and the networks that promote and profit from them will be scrutinized. This initiative’s intelligence will be shared widely throughout the financial industry, as well as with policymakers and law enforcement.
“All of us, including in the private sector, have a critical role to play in fighting the spread of extremism and hate. With this new initiative, we’re setting a new standard for companies to bring their expertise to critical social issues,” said Mr. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO, ADL.
The formation and expansion of a coalition with other civil rights partner organizations, such as the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), to protect underprivileged populations against extremism, is at the core of the PayPal and ADL initiative.
Attacking the sources of income for these hate groups will erode their power and reveal how unstable they are. Expert data and research will assist organizations such as LULAC in developing their anti-evil strategy.
ADL has been fighting extremist dangers across the ideological spectrum for decades. ADL provides law enforcement agencies, government officials and community leaders, as well as internet and technology companies, with resources, expertise, and instructional briefings to help them recognize and counter new threats.
PayPal also has a partnership with Financial Intelligence Unit with Polaris to combat human trafficking, as well as a multi-sector research effort to better comprehend illegal firearm trafficking and financing.
