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| Sacha Baron Cohen: Facebook would have let Hitler buy anti-Semitic ads | |
| (1 day later) | |
| British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has said if Facebook had existed in the 1930s it would have allowed Hitler a platform for his anti-Semitic beliefs. | British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has said if Facebook had existed in the 1930s it would have allowed Hitler a platform for his anti-Semitic beliefs. |
| The Ali G star singled out the social media company in a speech in New York. | The Ali G star singled out the social media company in a speech in New York. |
| He also criticised Google, Twitter and YouTube for pushing "absurdities to billions of people". | He also criticised Google, Twitter and YouTube for pushing "absurdities to billions of people". |
| Social media giants and internet companies are under growing pressure to curb the spread of misinformation around political campaigns. | Social media giants and internet companies are under growing pressure to curb the spread of misinformation around political campaigns. |
| Twitter announced in late October that it would ban all political advertising globally from 22 November. | Twitter announced in late October that it would ban all political advertising globally from 22 November. |
| Earlier this week Google said it would not allow political advertisers to target voters using "microtargeting" based on browsing data or other factors. | Earlier this week Google said it would not allow political advertisers to target voters using "microtargeting" based on browsing data or other factors. |
| Analysts say Facebook has come under increasing pressure to follow suit. | Analysts say Facebook has come under increasing pressure to follow suit. |
| The company said in a statement that Baron Cohen had misrepresented its policies and that hate speech was banned on its platforms. | The company said in a statement that Baron Cohen had misrepresented its policies and that hate speech was banned on its platforms. |
| "We ban people who advocate for violence and we remove anyone who praises or supports it. Nobody - including politicians - can advocate or advertise hate, violence or mass murder on Facebook," it added. | "We ban people who advocate for violence and we remove anyone who praises or supports it. Nobody - including politicians - can advocate or advertise hate, violence or mass murder on Facebook," it added. |
| What did Baron Cohen say? | What did Baron Cohen say? |
| Addressing the Anti-Defamation League's Never is Now summit, Baron Cohen took aim at Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg who in October defended his company's position not to ban political adverts that contain falsehoods. | Addressing the Anti-Defamation League's Never is Now summit, Baron Cohen took aim at Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg who in October defended his company's position not to ban political adverts that contain falsehoods. |
| "If you pay them, Facebook will run any 'political' ad you want, even if it's a lie. And they'll even help you micro-target those lies to their users for maximum effect," he said. | "If you pay them, Facebook will run any 'political' ad you want, even if it's a lie. And they'll even help you micro-target those lies to their users for maximum effect," he said. |
| "Under this twisted logic, if Facebook were around in the 1930s, it would have allowed Hitler to post 30-second ads on his 'solution' to the 'Jewish problem'." | "Under this twisted logic, if Facebook were around in the 1930s, it would have allowed Hitler to post 30-second ads on his 'solution' to the 'Jewish problem'." |
| Baron Cohen said it was time "for a fundamental rethink of social media and how it spreads hate, conspiracies and lies". He also questioned Mr Zuckerberg's characterisation of Facebook as a bastion of "free expression". | Baron Cohen said it was time "for a fundamental rethink of social media and how it spreads hate, conspiracies and lies". He also questioned Mr Zuckerberg's characterisation of Facebook as a bastion of "free expression". |
| "I think we could all agree that we should not be giving bigots and paedophiles a free platform to amplify their views and target their victims," he added. | "I think we could all agree that we should not be giving bigots and paedophiles a free platform to amplify their views and target their victims," he added. |
| Earlier this month, an international group of lawmakers called for targeted political adverts on social media to be suspended until they are properly regulated. | Earlier this month, an international group of lawmakers called for targeted political adverts on social media to be suspended until they are properly regulated. |
| The International Committee on Disinformation and Fake News was told that the business model adopted by social networks made "manipulation profitable". | The International Committee on Disinformation and Fake News was told that the business model adopted by social networks made "manipulation profitable". |
| A BBC investigation into political ads for next month's UK election suggested they were being targeted towards key constituencies and certain age groups. | A BBC investigation into political ads for next month's UK election suggested they were being targeted towards key constituencies and certain age groups. |