Wednesday 22 February 2023

Meta has profited from more than 60 ads using homophobic slur 'groomer' since December

Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, Meta, has been profiting from an anti-LGBTQ slur since December. According to a report released by Media Matters for America, the social media giant has allowed more than 60 ads to feature the word “groomer” for a variety of companies, products and services. The ads have littered the website and app, exposing many LGBTQ users to potentially offensive content. The term “groomer” is commonly used to describe a person who pursues a relationship with a minor for sexual purposes. It has also been used to describe pedophiles, and many LGBTQ people believe it is used as a slur against them. Although Meta has been aware of the situation for months, it has not taken any steps to address the issue. Meta has come under fire in the past for its lack of transparency and its failure to address issues of discrimination, particularly those facing its LGBTQ users. There has been a call for the company to take steps to ensure that its platform is a safe space for LGBTQ people. Meta has issued a statement in response to the report, acknowledging that the use of the term “groomer” is offensive and unacceptable, and promising to take steps to address the issue. The statement also acknowledged that Meta has a responsibility to prevent discriminatory language on its platform. “We have zero tolerance for discrimination and are dedicated to building an inclusive and respectful community,” the statement read. It also promised to take “immediate action” to address the issue, including removing any ads featuring the offensive term and creating a more robust set of guidelines to ensure that ads adhere to the company’s anti-discrimination policies. The Meta statement is a step in the right direction for the company and its LGBTQ users, but there is still more work to be done. The company needs to be more transparent in its policies and take steps to ensure that ads featuring discriminatory language do not appear on its platform. In addition, the company must take steps to ensure that its LGBTQ users are safe and protected from potentially offensive content. Meta’s statement is a small step in the right direction in the fight against discrimination, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Media Matters for America has called on Meta to take more proactive steps to ensure that its platform is a safe and welcoming space for its LGBTQ users. Other companies should also be held accountable and take steps to ensure that discriminatory language is not tolerated in their advertising. Ultimately, companies must ensure that they are promoting an inclusive, respectful, and safe space for their LGBTQ users. Discrimination and bigotry against LGBTQ people is not something to be taken lightly, and it is the responsibility of companies to ensure that their platforms are safe and welcoming spaces for everyone. Meta may have taken the first step in addressing the issue of the use of the anti-LGBTQ slur “groomer” in its ads, but there is still a lot more work to be done. Companies must be held accountable and take steps to ensure that their ads, products and services are not promoting hate or discrimination. It is only with continuous education, awareness, and commitment that we can ensure that the LGBTQ community is safe and respected on social media platforms, and that they can reach their full potential online.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/meta-has-profited-from-more-than-60-ads-using-homophobic-slur-groomer-since-december

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