Are you problematic? This ‘cancel culture insurance’ could help you deal with social media backlash

Worried about getting canceled? There’s now insurance policy for that.

Insurance agency Samphire Risk is rolling out “cancel culture” insurance for celebrities and execs afraid of social media backlash, according to a report from the Financial Times. London-based Samphire already insures high-value clients against extortion, kidnap, hostage-crises, terrorism and travel to dangerous countries. Now, it’s adding cancellation to the list. 

The policy, called Preempt and also available to businesses, gives crisis management communications services designed to help the “canceled” minimize the damage done. For 60 days, a team will go to battle against any negative press across social media and traditional media. 

There’s also a 24/7 hotline, perfect for when you fire off a rogue tweet at 2 a.m. and need emergency damage control. Additionally, the policy provides a team of researchers and analysts who will help flag potential reputational risks before they blow up in your face.

“Sharing or liking a tweet can bring the whole world down on you,” Mark Borkowski, a veteran PR boss who designed the policy alongside risk partner RepuTitan, told the FT. “There are a lot of anxious people. The cancel button is the new guillotine [and] one mistake is your epitaph. It’s too easy to take a position on things  . . .  without being thoughtful.”

What’s your good reputation worth?

The policy isn’t just about PR crises; it also covers modern digital threats like misinformation, deepfakes, extortion, blackmail, and even family-related risks. Borkowski said the policy was not designed for people who had broken the law or who were guilty of wrongdoing, but for those worried that their words could be twisted or taken out of context.

Premiums are calculated based on wealth, annual earnings, and a deep dive into a client’s past behavior and social media activity. In other words, the more controversial your digital footprint, the higher the price tag. 

In the age of cancel culture, the appeal is understandable. Just days ago, Selena Gomez deleted a tearful video about President Trump’s ICE deportations after being hit with social media backlash. Meanwhile, Justin Baldoni is currently is currently fighting for his reputation online over Blake Lively’s It Ends With Us lawsuit and damning allegations about his on-set behavior.

At the same time, the pendulum seems to be swinging back to a time where online, anything goes. Elon Musk has turned X into a megaphone for his far-right politics, while Meta is currently undoing content moderation across Facebook and Instagram. 

For those who remain cautious, the chance at some extra protection against keyboard warriors may seem like a savvy investment. Or—some free advice—if you have nothing nice to say, just don’t say anything. 

https://www.fastcompany.com/91270132/cancel-culture-insurance-policy-will-protect-reputation-social-media-backlash?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss