It has come to light that Facebook let advertisers target users interested in anti-Semitic topics. Facebook is embarrassed. Really?<\/em> The problem with embarrassment is that there is no admission of wrongdoing, rather there is a sense of being found out. When are the ethics of technology and innovation going to supersede the perceived (falsified) value?<\/p>\n The Guardian article by Sam Levin, dated September 14, 2017, discusses Facebook's embarrassment, defensiveness and ignorance. He describes the enormity of the game they are playing with individuals and<\/em> with humanity.<\/p>\n Facebook has allowed advertising to target users interested in the topics of \u201cJew hater\u201d and \u201cHow to burn Jews\u201d, according to an investigation that adds to mounting criticisms of the way the company allows and profits from unethical ads.<\/p>\n ProPublica, an investigative news organization, reported on Thursday that the social network\u2019s self-service ad-buying system allowed people to direct advertisements to nearly 2,300 users interested in several explicitly antisemitic subjects, including a category labeled \u201cHistory of \u2018why Jews ruin the world\u2019\u201d.<\/p>\n The journalists tested the legitimacy of the ad categories by paying $30 to target \u201cpromoted posts\u201d to those specific groups. ProPublica said three ads were approved within 15 minutes. Facebook later took down the offensive categories after ProPublica contacted the company for comment.<\/p>\n Asked about ProPublica\u2019s findings, Rob Leathern, product management director at Facebook, confirmed in a statement to the Guardian that it had \u201cremoved the associated targeting fields\u201d, adding, \u201cWe know we have more work to do, so we\u2019re also building new guardrails in our product and review processes to prevent other issues like this from happening in the future.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n A Facebook algorithm had created the antisemitic categories, and the company said it is considering changes to prevent this kind of problem.<\/p>\n [..]<\/p>\n In its report, ProPublica noted that the objectionable ad categories were very small. But Facebook\u2019s algorithms had suggestions to boost the audience size, including to people who like gun rights. When ProPublica searched for categories related to \u201cHitler\u201d, Facebook suggested a field called \u201cHitler did nothing wrong\u201d. After the ad was approved, Facebook also automatically described the advert as targeting people interested in \u201cAntysemityzm\u201d, a Polish word.<\/p>\n Other tech corporations have faced similar challenges. Last year, the Guardian reported last year that Google\u2019s algorithms were suggesting neo-Nazi white supremacist websites promoting Holocaust deniers.<\/strong><\/p>\n [..]<\/p>\n Leathern said in his statement Thursday: \u201cWe don\u2019t allow hate speech on Facebook. Our community standards strictly prohibit attacking people based on their protected characteristics, including religion, and we prohibit advertisers from discriminating against people based on religion and other attributes.\u201d<\/p>\n Source:\u00a0https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/2017\/sep\/14\/facebook-advertising-jew-hater-antisemitism<\/p><\/blockquote>\n History doesn't repeat itself, we repeat history. <\/em>When\u00a0we blindly and passively allow hate to perpetuate due to our refusal to take responsibility or accountability for stopping an injustice that doesn't directly affect us, or is not a threat to our immediate safety, are we repeating the mistakes of the Germans, the Romans and the Greeks?<\/p>\n First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out\u2014<\/em><\/strong> Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out\u2014<\/em><\/strong> Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out\u2014<\/em><\/strong> Then they came for me\u2014and there was no one left to speak for me.<\/em><\/strong>Informational Insights: Facebook's Deadly Game<\/h2>\n
Possibilities for Consideration: Repeating History<\/h2>\n
Add Your Insight: Then They Came for Me...<\/h2>\n
\n Because I was not a Socialist.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n Because I was not a Trade Unionist.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n Because I was not a Jew.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nMARTIN NIEM\u00d6LLER<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"