Discord

California
Media and Entertainment

Risk Level:

Rating - Caution
Medium Risk

Summary:

Discord has not terminated business relationships due to religious or political beliefs. The company does not have viewpoint protection for its employees. However, it has used its corporate funds to support ideological advocacy groups while encouraging left-wing activism on its program. Discord uses the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Hate List to vet charities that can receive donations. For these reasons, Discord receives a "Medium Risk" rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level
Rationale

There are no publicly known cases of Discord terminating business relationships due to religious or political beliefs.

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

Discord uses the SPLC’s Hate List to vet eligible charities (1).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

Discord does not protect its users against viewpoint discrimination (1)(2).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

In June 2020, Discord began to use its in-product screens and its blog to raise awareness about anti-racist causes and to encourage its users to take action. It also committed to supporting/developing resources for users who engage in left-wing activism on a number of levels. It also committed to diversifying its leadership team and to hiring a Head of Diversity and Inclusion (1). Discord signed an open letter opposing legislation deemed anti-LGBTQ (2).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

In June 2020, Discord “donated a combined $150,000 to the Equal Justice Initiative… the National Bail Fund Network, and the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor Family Funds” (1). It also covers travel expenses for its female employees to get abortions (2)

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
N/A
Rationale

Discord does not operate a PAC.

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
March 21, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

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