Facebook calls for completion of a study revealing its methods for targeting political ads



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Facebook asked New York University to complete a research project on its practices in relation to political ads targeted on the pretext of violating the platform’s laws by collecting data about its users.

Laura Edelson, a researcher at New York University’s “Ad Observer”, wrote in a tweet on Twitter on Friday: “A week ago, Facebook sent me a message asking us to remove (Ad Observer) and delete our data.”

Days before the US presidential elections scheduled for November 3, Facebook’s performance is under close scrutiny amid criticism of its role in campaigns and the way various political groups use tools in their behavior through Facebook. to influence voters.

“The public has a right to know the method used to direct political ads, so we will not comply with this request,” said Laura Edelson.

Users of “Facebook” can add the “Ad-Observer” function to their Internet surfers, which allows them to copy the advertisements that appear to them through “Facebook” and include them in a general data list, for transparency and search purposes of advertising targeting media to users.

“We informed New York University months ago that a project to collect data on Facebook violated our rules,” responded a spokesman for the network giant, Joe Osborne.

“Our advertising library, viewed by two million people each month, including New York University, provides more transparency about political ads than television, radio and any other digital platform,” he added.

Following accusations of extremely lenient behavior, a year ago, the gigantic US network tightened its rules regarding political advertising, including especially preventing attempts to undermine the electoral process or some racist or xenophobic statements.

No new political ads will be allowed on Facebook platforms in the week leading up to the election, and all ads on social or political issues will be banned in the United States when polling stations close on November 3.

Source: AFP



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