By: Chris O’Connor and Adam KredoThe UK government has banned the advertising of hate speech on Facebook after complaints that it promoted content that had been widely shared online.
The Advertising Standards Authority has decided to take down Facebook’s Facebook advertising system following a series of complaints from consumers, the BBC reports.
The decision follows a public consultation on the issue and a recommendation from the Advertising Standards Agency’s Advertising Committee.
The UK government will have until October 1 to make a decision.
According to the BBC, the decision will have an impact on advertising on Facebook and other social networks across the world, but it does not specify which sites or brands will be affected.
The government says that the decision is an “unprecedented” step to protect people’s rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association.
The agency also said it will continue to monitor and address the issue on a “case-by-case” basis.
Facebook told the BBC it will now look to the European Commission to consider the decision, which has already been welcomed by some European media outlets.