News

This July 30, 2019, file photo shows update information for the Facebook application on a mobile phone displayed at a store in Chicago. (Amr Alfiky / AP, File)

Facebook Bans Ads Claiming Widespread Mail-In Voter Fraud

By The Associated Press October 1, 2020 at 5:58am

With just over a month to go before Americans head to the polls, Facebook is expanding restrictions on political advertising, including new bans on messages claiming widespread voter fraud.

The new prohibitions come days after President Donald Trump raised the prospect of mass fraud in the vote-by-mail process during a debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden.

Banned ads “would include calling a method of voting inherently fraudulent or corrupt, or using isolated incidents of voter fraud to delegitimize the result of an election,” Rob Leathern, Facebook’s director of product management, tweeted.

The changes apply to Facebook and Instagram and are effective immediately, he said.

For example, this would include calling a method of voting inherently fraudulent or corrupt, or using isolated incidents of voter fraud to delegitimize the result of an election. You can find more info and specifics in our Help Center here https://t.co/BPnm1z7LW6 (2/3)

— Rob Leathern (@robleathern) September 30, 2020

The ban includes ads that call an election into question because the result isn’t determined on the final day of voting.

There is a good chance U.S. election results will require additional time this year because of expanded mail-in voting.

Do you think social media companies intentionally suppress conservative views?

Also banned are advertisements portraying voting or census participation as meaningless and advising people not to take part.

Last week Facebook banned ads that prematurely declared an election victory.

It also said it would restrict new political ads in the week before the election and remove posts conveying what it deems misinformation about voting.

[jwplayer nirIoKF0]

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

Submit a Correction →

We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:

2020 election, Facebook, Mail-in voting, Social media, U.S. News, WJ Wire

The Associated Press

SummaryMore Biographical InformationRecent PostsContact

The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Their teams in over 100 countries tell the world’s stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting. They provide content and services to help engage audiences worldwide, working with companies of all types, from broadcasters to brands. Photo credit: @AP on Twitter

@AP

Facebook

The Associated Press was the first private sector organization in the U.S. to operate on a national scale. Over the past 170 years, they have been first to inform the world of many of history's most important moments, from the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the fall of the Shah of Iran and the death of Pope John Paul.

Today, they operate in 263 locations in more than 100 countries relaying breaking news, covering war and conflict and producing enterprise reports that tell the world's stories.

Location

New York City