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Facebook challenged over political ad policy | Facebook challenged over political ad policy |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Facebook says it will fact-check ads posted by one political candidate in California, after previously saying it would not do so for politicians. | Facebook says it will fact-check ads posted by one political candidate in California, after previously saying it would not do so for politicians. |
In September, the social network said it would not subject politicians or candidates to fact-checking. | In September, the social network said it would not subject politicians or candidates to fact-checking. |
To test the policy, Californian Adriel Hampton registered as a candidate and tried to run a misleading ad. | To test the policy, Californian Adriel Hampton registered as a candidate and tried to run a misleading ad. |
But Facebook blocked the ad and said Mr Hampton had "registered as a candidate to get around our policies". | But Facebook blocked the ad and said Mr Hampton had "registered as a candidate to get around our policies". |
Why has this happened? | Why has this happened? |
In September, Facebook clarified its fact-checking policy and said it would treat all posts by politicians as "newsworthy content" that should "be seen and heard". | In September, Facebook clarified its fact-checking policy and said it would treat all posts by politicians as "newsworthy content" that should "be seen and heard". |
Critics said the move would give politicians complete freedom to create deliberately misleading advertisements that could be promoted to millions of people on the social network. | Critics said the move would give politicians complete freedom to create deliberately misleading advertisements that could be promoted to millions of people on the social network. |
In October, Facebook's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg was questioned by US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez about the policy. | In October, Facebook's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg was questioned by US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez about the policy. |
She asked whether she would be allowed to run ads on Facebook falsely claiming that Republican candidates had backed the "Green New Deal" environmental policy. | She asked whether she would be allowed to run ads on Facebook falsely claiming that Republican candidates had backed the "Green New Deal" environmental policy. |
"I think probably," said Mr Zuckerberg. | "I think probably," said Mr Zuckerberg. |
Mr Hampton, who runs a digital media agency, was inspired to create exactly such an advertisement. | Mr Hampton, who runs a digital media agency, was inspired to create exactly such an advertisement. |
In the ad, footage of US senator Lindsey Graham was edited to look like he was speaking in support of the Green New Deal. | In the ad, footage of US senator Lindsey Graham was edited to look like he was speaking in support of the Green New Deal. |
It was posted on the Facebook page for a political campaign group called The Really Online Lefty League (Troll). | It was posted on the Facebook page for a political campaign group called The Really Online Lefty League (Troll). |
Facebook eventually took the advert down. | Facebook eventually took the advert down. |
Mr Hampton posted on Twitter, asking whether any US politician would run the false ad to test Facebook's policy. | Mr Hampton posted on Twitter, asking whether any US politician would run the false ad to test Facebook's policy. |
He then announced he had registered to stand in an election for governor of California and would try to run a false ad himself. | |
But Facebook said in a statement: "This person has made clear he registered as a candidate to get around our policies, so his content, including ads, will continue to be eligible for third-party fact-checking." | But Facebook said in a statement: "This person has made clear he registered as a candidate to get around our policies, so his content, including ads, will continue to be eligible for third-party fact-checking." |
Mr Hampton said: "Apparently, it's only OK to lie on Facebook if you don't tell them you're lying." | Mr Hampton said: "Apparently, it's only OK to lie on Facebook if you don't tell them you're lying." |
Political ad ban | Political ad ban |
On Wednesday, Twitter announced it would be banning political advertising globally. | On Wednesday, Twitter announced it would be banning political advertising globally. |
Chief executive Jack Dorsey said the reach of political messages "should be earned, not bought". | Chief executive Jack Dorsey said the reach of political messages "should be earned, not bought". |
But Conservative MP Damian Collins, who is chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee investing fake news and disinformation online, said the move could have unintended consequences. | But Conservative MP Damian Collins, who is chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee investing fake news and disinformation online, said the move could have unintended consequences. |
"The problem on [Twitter] has been big networks of fake bot accounts, rather than legitimate advertisers. This move could make life easier for the peddlers of fake news," he tweeted. | "The problem on [Twitter] has been big networks of fake bot accounts, rather than legitimate advertisers. This move could make life easier for the peddlers of fake news," he tweeted. |
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