.jpeg "Shopify Shuts Down Kanye West’s Online Store Amid Fraud Concerns")
In a Slack message to employees on Tuesday, Shopify’s general counsel Jess Hertz stated that the T-shirt—featuring a swastika and listed for $30—was “a stunt” and “not a good faith attempt to make money.” She explained that the company shut down the store due to the “real risk of fraud” rather than personal opinions on the offensive nature of the product.
The controversial T-shirt appeared on the Yeezy store early Monday, just a day after West aired a Super Bowl ad directing fans to his website. Shopify removed the store about 24 hours later, replacing it with an error message.
Shopify’s Official Statement
In a public statement, spokesperson Caty Gray confirmed that West’s store violated Shopify’s policies, as the merchant “did not engage in authentic commerce practices.” However, the internal message from Hertz went further, calling the T-shirt “vile, disgusting, and inexcusable” but clarifying that the decision was solely based on policy violations, not personal views.
Shopify’s acceptable use policy prohibits illegal activities and threats of violence, but the company does not pre-screen products before they are listed. Last year, Shopify reportedly removed a clause banning “hateful content” from its policies.
Employee Backlash and Company Response
Before Shopify took action, some Jewish employees raised concerns internally, with one stating that they felt “uncomfortable and unsafe” over the company’s delay in removing the item. Hertz acknowledged the delay but emphasized that Shopify aims to avoid “reactive termination of a store.”
This incident comes as Shopify reported $2.81 billion in fourth-quarter revenue, a 31.2% increase year-over-year. During the company’s earnings call, President Harley Finkelstein did not address the Yeezy controversy.
West’s History with Shopify and Adidas
West, also known as Ye, has been using Shopify’s platform since at least 2016 to sell both music and fashion. Shopify even hired Jon Wexler, a former Adidas executive who worked on West’s Yeezy sneaker line, in 2020 to lead its influencer program. Wexler has since left the company.
Adidas cut ties with West in 2022 following a series of antisemitic remarks, joining a growing list of brands distancing themselves from the controversial rapper.
While Shopify has faced criticism in the past over hosting right-wing groups, CEO Tobi Lütke previously defended the company’s approach, arguing that “products are speech” and supporting free expression. However, this latest incident highlights the fine line between commerce and content moderation in the digital marketplace.