Neighbor News
Facebook Restricting Political Ads During Campaign Season
Has Facebook crossed the line with obtaining personal information?
After speaking with local advocates, activists, campaign workers, and grassroots efforts I have stumbled upon this dilemma. Facebook has decided to restrict political ads just one week prior to the June 5th Primary Election. Is this bad timing or strategic campaigning?
Story after story was exactly the same. Ads are not being circulated or seen. These are paid advertisements by the person or campaign. What is going on? Or Wrong?
The person or page posting the ad will receive a notification that the ad was not approved. Then, it describes how it now goes against Facebook Standards due to it's political content. Afterwards, it describes how you must verify your identity. This goes beyond verification. It requests you photo copy your identification or driver's license and give your social security number. I spoke with candidates and public figures who have had to do this multiple times in order to continue posting political ads. Why should someone have to do this multiple times? What does Facebook do with this information?
Find out what's happening in South Gate-Lynwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Upon doing some research I found out this new policy did not go into effect until May 22, 2018. Facebook itself did not publish or advertise this change until after it went into effect March 24, 2018. See the links and attached photos. In addition, to the awful or convenient timing of this massive change, once you fill out the verification form it may take up to several business days. This passes and goes beyond the June 5th Primary Election date. I have a screen shot stating it may take up to July 13, 2018. This puts grassroots level campaigns and first time campaigners at a severe disadvantage. I wonder why corporate Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa or Gavin Newsom do not have this dilemma.
Some people have stated time and time again, Facebook has overstepped it's reach. I believe requesting private and personal information multiple times is going too far. As it stands Facebook has facial recognition, and if you do not adjust your settings you will be named and labelled in several photos without your permission. Now they have requested your identification, driver's license, social security numbers, where will it end?