Facebook and Twitter are receiving calls from black lawmakers of the U.S. to get rid of ‘Racist Ads.’
Both the social networks are presently working with Congressional investigators on the Russian meddling in the 2016 election. While on the course, black Congress members are persuading them for new ads and leadership changes.
On a specific note, Recode obtained a letter from the Republicans Bonnie Watson Coleman, Robin Kelly, and Emanuel Cleaver. It contains their urging to the companies against the ads that direct racial discontent and voter suppression. Furthermore, the Republicans have asked the companies to bring ‘people of color’ in the executive levels. They also want them to conduct new audits of the ‘racist ads.’
Reports on Racist Ads
Recently, Facebook provided evidence to Congress regarding 3,000 ads linked with Russia. These ads were ‘allegedly’ used for spreading hostility among the voters. Then, the company appointed 1,000 people to review political, regional, ethnic, and societal ads.
Similarly, Twitter presented Congress with the data related to alleged Russian bots on the social media service. Both the social media companies straightforwardly forbid ads that include hate speech. But neither of them so far has been able to prevent misuse of their services. Just like Facebook, Twitter became the victim of racist terminologies as well. At the latest, Facebook allowed advertisers to target anti-semites.
On a concluding point, the issue of racist ads has been voiced by the Congressional Black Caucus before. In a 2016 ProPublica report, black lawmakers stated that these ads on Facebook violated the Fair Housing Act of 1968. As a result, the company had to update ad policies to bar discrimination on race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, and other factors.
Facebook and Twitter will face the House and Senate intelligence committees in the next month.
