Much of Facebook's negative influence on the culture and politics resulted from its pecuniary interest in allowing all comers to pollute their platform in the name of "free speech" when it was more about Facebook's bottom line. It's only been of late that they've made gestures to restrict the propagation of outright lies that have fueled radical politics and outrageous conspiracy theories. But as Igor Vamos' article in The Guardian indicates, those gestures have gaping holes:
"On 16 January, Facebook announced that it will be 'banning ads that promote weapon accessories and protective equipment in the US at least through January 22'. To those of us who have been observing the world of Trump-supporting social media, this announcement is a manipulative piece of whitewashing that obscures how Facebook’s algorithms continue to divide people the world over.
As part of my research while working as a consulting producer on Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, I made many pro-Trump social media accounts. The accounts were a window into the Trump echo-chamber, where the unhinged threats and vitriol posted by radicalized users are chilling. Yet as shocking as the posts can be, they make perfect sense if you look at the ads that bombard those accounts.
Roughly four out of five ads shown to my pro-Trump profiles sell tactical gear clearly intended for combat. This is not a new thing – it has been going on since I started looking at these accounts in June 2019, and it was probably going on much longer than that.
Although Facebook policy does not allow the direct advertisement of guns and bombs, accessories have generally been fair game. Tactical backpacks with integrated back scabbards that can hold weapons up to 25in long. Rapid clip loaders. Night vision sights. Shoulder holsters. Body armor." (our emphasis)
For wingnuts who spend most of their day ranting on Facebook with like-minded cultists, they don't have to search the internet to find this tactical gear because Facebook is spoon feeding it to them. Remember that the next time you see an insurrectionist mob decked out in tactical gear ready for a fight.
(photo: Oregon "Oath Keepers" militia thugs. Shawn Records / Vice)
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