Facebook removes 5,000 ad targeting options based on religion and ethnicity

Facebook announced on Tuesday, 21st of August, that it will remove 5,000 ad targeting options to avoid discrimination. The social media platform will exclude factors related to religion and ethnicity when targeting users for advertisement, says French newspaper Le Monde.

This decision comes after media published surveys showing that Facebook’s ad targeting options are discriminatory as they target only certain categories based on their ethnicity and religion for teh purchase of houses. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) denounced that, stating that it is filing a lawsuit against Facebook.

To put it in other words, some companies prefer to advertise their products and offers to certain people, with regard to their origins, religion and profile. Those with English as a second language are not targeted, excluding by that immigrants and people who are physically challenged.

«While these options have been used in legitimate ways to reach people interested in a certain product or service, we think minimizing the risk of abuse is more important», said Facebook in a press release.