Facebook to Ban Ads Promoting Weapon Accessories, Protective Gear in US

On Saturday, Facebook Inc said it will ban advertising for gun accessories and security equipment in the United States with immediate effect until at least two days after the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden on January 20.

Following President Donald Trump's attack on the US Capitol on January 6, the social media platform said it will now ban advertisements in the United States for products such as gun safes, vests and gun holsters, reports Reuters. 

“We already prohibit ads for weapons, ammunition and weapon enhancements like silencers. But we will now also prohibit ads for accessories,” Facebook said in a blog post.

On Friday, three U.S. senators sent a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg urging him to permanently ban ads for goods that are specifically intended for use in armed combat.

The senators, all Democrats, said the company must take this and other actions to “hold itself accountable for how domestic enemies of the United States have used the company’s products and platform to further their own illicit aims.”

On Friday, Facebook blocked the development, through January 20, of any new Facebook events in close proximity to locations such as the White House and the US Capitol in Washington, as well as state capital buildings.

The FBI has warned that in the run-up to the inauguration, armed demonstrations are scheduled for Washington and all 50 state capitals.

Buzzfeed reported this week that Facebook has been running ads for military equipment next to content promoting election misinformation and news about the violence on Jan 6.

A Facebook company spokesperson said all the pages identified in the Buzzfeed story had been removed, and that the company was working with intelligence and terrorism experts and law enforcement.