Pinterest controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2025
Mass account bans and content-removal complaints
Users reported large-scale removals of Pins and account suspensions, attributing the actions to community-guideline enforcement. Public reporting described user frustration over the company's explanations and appeals process.
2021
Racial and gender discrimination settlement
Pinterest settled litigation alleging racial and gender discrimination and announced commitments related to diversity and workplace reform.
2021
Creative director sues Pinterest over alleged unpaid contributions
Lawsuit filed
Christine Martinez filed a lawsuit accusing Pinterest's owners of breach of implied contract, idea theft, unjust enrichment and unfair business practices. Pinterest said the allegations were unwarranted and that it planned to defend its co-founders in court.
Company response
Denial — Pinterest
A Pinterest spokeswoman said in a statement that the allegations made by Martinez were unwarranted
Source excerpt
A Pinterest spokeswoman said in a statement that the allegations made by Martinez were unwarranted and that the company plans to defend its co-founders in court.
Christine Martinez, 40, filed a lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court on Monday accusing the site's owners Ben Silbermann, 39, and Paul Sciarra, 40, of breach of implied contract, idea theft, unjust enrichment and unfair business practices.
2021
Pinterest CEO pledges diversity hiring changes
Company response
Pinterest CEO Ben Silbermann said he was pledging to hire more people of color and female executives by 2025, following employee complaints and a discrimination settlement. He described the pledge as an effort to create a more diverse and inclusive company.
Source excerpt
Pinterest's CEO is pledging to hire more people of color and female executives by 2025 in an attempt to create a more diverse and inclusive company following years of complaints from employees and a multi-million discrimination settlement.
2020
Workplace discrimination allegations
Former employees alleged racial and gender discrimination, unequal pay, retaliation and failures in workplace protections. The allegations prompted an employee walkout, public criticism and litigation settlements.
2020
Former Pinterest COO sues company alleging gender discrimination
Issue disclosure
In 2020, former Pinterest COO Francoise Brougher filed a lawsuit against the company alleging gender discrimination and wrongful termination. According to the allegations in the suit, Brougher received less favorable pay than male peers and was fired for speaking out. These are allegations made in the lawsuit and not findings of fact. The event is recorded as a controversy note concerning Pinterest.
Company response
Investigation — Pinterest
A Pinterest spokesperson told the New York Times that it's reviewing the lawsuit, adding that the company wants “all of our employees (to) feel included and supported.”
Source excerpt
The former chief operating officer of Pinterest is suing the company, alleging gender discrimination and wrongful termination.
In a suit filed in California on Tuesday, Francoise Brougher says she was offered a "less favorable pay structure" than her male peers.
2020
Pinterest settles gender discrimination lawsuit
Settlement
Pinterest and former COO Francoise Brougher settled her lawsuit alleging gender discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination. Under the settlement, Pinterest will pay $20 million to Brougher and her attorneys, and both sides will commit $2.5 million toward advancing women and underrepresented communities in the tech industry.
Source excerpt
In August, Brougher sued Pinterest, alleging gender discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.
today announced it has settled the gender discrimination lawsuit brought forth by former COO Francoise Brougher.
As part of the settlement, Pinterest will pay $20 million to Brougher and her attorneys, and both Pinterest and Brougher will commit $2.5 million toward “Advancing women and underrepresented communities” in the tech industry, the company wrote in a filing.
2020
Shareholder derivative suit filed against Pinterest
Lawsuit filed
A shareholder derivative suit was filed against Pinterest, alleging that its executives breached fiduciary duties by perpetrating or knowingly ignoring systemic discrimination and retaliation at the company. The complaint also alleged unequal pay and denied career opportunities for women and racial minorities; these are allegations, not findings.
Source excerpt
On December 31, a revised version of the complaint was filed after the district judge assigned to the case ordered the parties revise the copious redactions in the initial filing.
The newly public allegations claim the Pinterest Compensation Committee was aware of Pinterest’s inconsistent pay practices but failed to take steps to oversee discriminatory pay complaints.
An interesting shareholder derivative suit was filed on November 30, 2020 in the Northern District of California against Pinterest, Inc.
2019
Misinformation and content-moderation criticism
Pinterest faced scrutiny over health misinformation, anti-vaccination material and controversial moderation decisions. It restricted searches and recommendations associated with unsupported medical claims and some politically sensitive content.
2017
Censorship and access restrictions
Pinterest was blocked in China without a clear public explanation and was temporarily affected by an Indian court-related blocking order concerning websites accused of copyright infringement.
2012
Copyright and terms-of-service controversy
Pinterest faced criticism from artists, photographers and commentators over copyright exposure and terms that appeared to grant the company broad rights over user-posted content. The company introduced opt-out mechanisms and revised its terms to remove the disputed content-sale language.