Protect Joe Biden's Inauguration, Facebook Bans Ads Of Armament Accessories In The US

JAKARTA - Facebook will ban ads for weapons accessories and protective equipment in the United States (US). This is done ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden on January 20.

The move was taken after a mob raid by supporters of President Donald Trump on the US Capitol building on January 6. The social media company said it would now ban advertising for accessories such as gun safes, vests and gun holsters in the United States.

"We have banned the ads for weapons, ammunition and weapon enhancements such as silencers. But now we will also prohibit ads for accessories," Facebook said, quoted by Reuters, Sunday, January 17.

At least three US senators have sent letters to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg asking to permanently block advertisements for products clearly designed for use in armed combat.

The senators, all of whom are Democrats, said companies must take this action to "hold accountable how domestic adversaries of the United States have used the company's products and platforms using what they forbid themselves."

Facebook has also blocked creation of events via its platform near places such as the White House and the US Congress Building in Washington, as well as state capitol buildings, until January 20.

The FBI has warned of planned armed protests for Washington and all 50 state capitals ahead of the inauguration.

Buzzfeed reports that Facebook has displayed advertisements for military equipment right alongside content containing election misinformation and news about the violence on January 6.

A Facebook spokeswoman said all pages identified in the Buzzfeed report had been removed, and the company had been working closely with intelligence and terrorism experts and law enforcement.