Federal Complaint Filed Against Facebook Over Discriminatory Housing Ads

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has formally filed a complaint against Facebook for discriminatory housing ads. The company has faced these allegations in the past and now this official complaint will only make matters worse for the social network. It has been accused of violating the Fair Housing Act.

The HUD has said in its complaint that Facebook’s ad personalization tools have enabled advertisers to exclude people based on religion, race, gender, accessibility, national origins, and parental status. It has even allowed them to redline ZIP codes.

The complaint ads that Facebook has limited home choices for protected classes “under the guise” of targeted ads. The HUD’s complaint has received support from the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York who has filed a statement of interest in the case.

“When Facebook uses the vast amount of personal data it collects to help advertisers to discriminate, it’s the same as slamming the door in someone’s face,” Anna María Farías, the assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity at HUD.

Facebook has responded to the complaint. The company said in a statement issued to Politico that “There is no place for discrimination on Facebook; it’s strictly prohibited in our policies.” It’s going to respond to the complaint in court.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Web
Tags: Facebook