Companies

Barclays

bank

20 😡

Barclays is a UK-based bank which is Europe's largest funder of fracking and coal [1], having invested $85 billion into fossil fuels and $24 billion into expansion. Among other controversies, Barclays has been fined £500 million for tax avoidance by the Treasury [2], illegally manipulated the price of gold [3], attempted to manipulate the US energy market [4], and conducted workplace surveillance on its staff [5].

Caffè Nero

restaurant

46 😐

Caffè Nero is a UK-based coffeehouse chain that has been accused of avoiding corporation tax through the use of tax-deductible interest payments and a complex corporate structure [1]. The company has also been found to have varying levels of faecal bacteria in its iced drinks, along with other major coffee chains [2].

Google

tech

20 😡

Google is an American tech conglomerate that has conducted mass surveillance on the public [1][2][3], enacted anti-union schemes [4], engaged in monopolistic and anticompetitive practices [5][6][7], and avoided billions in tax [8][9][10].

McDonald's

fast food

5 👺

McDonald's is the world's largest fast food brand, which produces more emissions than Norway [1] and is the leading producer of litter in the UK [2], whose restaurants have hosted sexual abuse [3][4], illegal employment of children [5], and racist discrimination [6]. McDonald's has avoided hundreds of millions in taxes [7], failed to meet its own pledges to reduce animal abuse in its supply chain [8], and offered free meals to the IDF as it commited war crimes in Gaza [9].

Meta

tech

10 👺

Meta is an American tech company that has fought aginst privacy legistion [1][2], shared user data without consent which was used to sway elections [3], designed software to addict children [4][5] and polarise users in idealogical echo chambers [6][7], avoided billions in tax [8][9] and conducted mass suveillance on the public [10].

Microsoft

tech

35 😡

Microsoft is an American technology company that has received recognition for sustainable practices [1], workplace gender inclusivity [2] and provided cyber security services to Ukraine [3]. Microsoft has avoided billions in tax [4] while replacing journalists with AI [5], abused its monopolistic position [6][7], participated in government surveillance of the public [8][9] and construction of a Microsoft data center destroyed a historic black cemetery [10].

Nike

clothing

40 😐

Nike is an American sportswear company that has benefited from child labour [1] and forced Uyghur labour [2], has avoided tax [3] and failed to take responsibility for hazardous waste dumping in its supply chain [4]. Nike has invested in sustainable materials research [5] and clothing recycling programs [6].

Salesforce

tech

40 😐

Salesforce, a tech company facing legal scrutiny for aiding Backpage in sex trafficking [1], has been highlighted for its tax avoidance strategies, with findings revealing it paid minimal federal taxes in 2018 [2]. Additionally, controversy surrounds its contracts with Customs and Border Protection, leading to the rejection of a donation by a legal aid group for immigrants and refugees [3], and allegations of inadequate accommodations for employees with developmental disorders in Japan [4].

Starbucks

restaurant

35 😡

Starbucks is an American coffee shop chain that has prolifically avoided tax [1][2], deprived Ethiopian farmers of their rightful pay [3] and enforces discriminatory pay discrepancies on its employees based on race [4]. Starbucks has engaged in anti-union practices [5][6] and has worked closely with the Anti-Defamation League [7].

Tesco

retail

30 😡

Tesco is a British retailer which appropriated a UNICEF slogan for advertising purposes [1] and engaged in price fixing [2], and its supply chain has included animal cruelty [3][4], slave labour [5], and deforestation of the Amazon [6]. Tesco has provided millions of pounds in educational equipment to schools [7], which is a fraction of the amount it has avoided in tax [8].

Uber

tech

30 😡

Uber is an American tech company that refuses to provide standard employee protections to its drivers [1], misled drivers about potential earnings [4], underpaid its drivers [5], and has had a culture of workplace sexual harassment [2][3]. Uber has avoided taxes using offshore companies [6], has discriminated against disabled passengers [7], and has conducted invasive surveillance on its passengers' journey data [8].

Vodafone

telecommunications

38 😡

Vodafone, a telecommunications company, faces criticism for tax avoidance through Luxembourg subsidiaries [1] and fines for breaching consumer protection rules, including mishandling complaints [2]. Moreover, Vodafone's involvement in government surveillance through secret wires on its networks sparks privacy concerns [3], while allegations of overcharging customers after contract ends have emerged [4].