Govee included a book on ‘White Supremacy’ in its website imagery | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyNotificationsNotificationsHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.NotificationsNotificationsHamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersArchivesStoreVerge Product UpdatesSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Govee included a book on ‘White Supremacy’ in its website imageryNotificationsNotificationsComments DrawerNotificationsCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...TechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsGovee included a book on ‘White Supremacy’ in its website imageryIt’s a study on White Supremacy, but another company ended up in hot water for using the same asset.It’s a study on White Supremacy, but another company ended up in hot water for using the same asset.by Jess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedNews ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess WeatherbedMay 26, 2026, 3:07 PM UTCLinkShareGiftThe sort of light reading material you’d expect to find in a childs bedroom. Image by Govee, compiled by The VergeJess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess Weatherbed is a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews.Companies often include background props in their product imagery that serve as set dressing, but one of Govee’s decorative choices is raising some eyebrows. An eagle-eyed Verge reader spotted that two copies of a book with “White Supremacy” plastered on the spine were included in a lifestyle image on Govee’s website, in a scene that seemingly depicts a child’s bedroom.You’d be forgiven for assuming that this is the result of some failed generative AI experiment, or the work of a rogue designer. (The image didn’t contain any C2PA and SynthID data when we checked, but that doesn’t necessarily rule out that something was generated with AI tools). But according to Govee, the image was actually sourced from an undisclosed “third-party licensed library.”“However, we recognize that our internal review and approval process did not meet the standard required,” Govee PR manager Connie Liu said in a statement to The Verge. “We are taking immediate steps to strengthen our processes to ensure this does not happen again.”A cursory look at archived versions of the website suggests the image had been live since at least April 11th 2026. It has since been pulled from Govee’s website, shortly after we sent our inquiry.This was Govee’s website before we sent our inquiry… Image: Govee…and this is what it looks like now, with the image replaced. Image: Govee”We sincerely apologize for the offensive content contained in this image. As soon as we became aware of the matter, the image was immediately removed from the Govee website,” said Liu. “We are committed to ensuring all content on our platforms aligns with our core values of respect and integrity, and we take this matter extremely seriously.”The book in question does appear to be a real publication, resembling a collection of essays titled “State of White Supremacy: Racism, Governance, and the United States.” That’s far less nefarious than presumed, but still a wildly unfortunate and questionable cover to include without such context about its content. Especially on an image that’s promoting pretty decorative lighting for a kids room? For what it’s worth, the other book in the image (titled “Another Art Book”) is also a genuine book by Jefferson Hack, despite the cover being displayed backwards.More bizarrely, this isn’t the first time that this exact book has caused similar controversy. British hardware retailer B&Q issued an apology back in 2023 after the book was featured on its website for a radiator cover listed by a third-party vendor. B&Q said at the time that the product image “was not picked up by our screening process.”Update, May 26th: Added a statement from Govee.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Jess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedNews ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess WeatherbedGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsSmart HomeCloseSmart HomePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Smart HomeTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularFerrari reveals its first EV, with design help from Jony IveSennheiser’s new Momentum 5 headphones have upgraded ANC and a replaceable batteryTHE PEOPLE DO NOT YEARN FOR AUTOMATIONVideoGoogle’s new anything-to-anything AI model is wildUber president says AI spending is getting ‘harder to justify’The Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Govee faced controversy after including imagery of a book titled White Supremacy on its website, specifically in a lifestyle image depicting a child's bedroom. This inclusion sparked significant scrutiny regarding appropriate content and corporate responsibility. The image featured two books, one prominently displaying the title White Supremacy, and another identified as a genuine publication by Jefferson Hack, although displayed in a way that was deemed questionable in context. Govee initially explained that the image was sourced from an undisclosed third-party licensed library, but the company acknowledged that their internal review and approval processes were insufficient.

Connie Liu, the PR manager for Govee, issued a statement acknowledging the offensive nature of the content and immediately removed the image from the website upon notification. Liu stated the company was committed to upholding its core values of respect and integrity, and they were taking steps to strengthen their procedures to prevent such occurrences in the future. The book in question appeared to be a collection of essays, specifically resembling "State of White Supremacy: Racism, Governance, and the United States," which further highlighted the problematic nature of using such material in promotional imagery for decorative lighting intended for a children's room.

This incident is not an isolated occurrence, as similar disputes over content sourcing have arisen in the industry. For instance, the British hardware retailer B&Q had issued an apology in 2023 after a book featured on its website for a radiator cover that was supplied by a third-party vendor, citing a failure in their screening process. This precedent suggests a broader systemic issue concerning how companies vet and deploy third-party content in their marketing materials. Ultimately, the situation underscores the critical need for robust internal review mechanisms to ensure that all platform content aligns with ethical standards and public expectations regarding sensitivity and integrity.