“Meta and Google hinder information about abortion and contraception” | Abroad
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MSI Reproductive Choices, an NGO that provides contraception and abortion options in 37 countries, said its ads containing sexual health information were rejected or removed by Google and Meta. The report was compiled based on interviews with local teams from the NGO MSI in Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria and Vietnam, and evidence gathered from Meta’s advertising library.
Words like “pregnancy options” say they violate Google guidelines, according to MSI in Ghana. MSI in Vietnam says their Facebook ads containing information about contraceptive methods were removed. In addition, Meta would not take enough action to combat misinformation about abortion, partly because the platform accepts advertisements from organizations that claim that medical abortions lead to “fatal vaginal bleeding”.
In Africa, Facebook is the place for many women to go for information about reproductive health
Whitney Chinogwenya, MSI’s global marketing manager, is concerned: “In Africa, Facebook is the go-to place for many women to get information about reproductive health. We’ve scaled our digital operations to meet demand, but we’re struggling to get trusted information to the women who need it. We cover everything from menopause to menstruation, but we find all our content is censored.”
We prohibit ads that contain false information or mislead people about the services a company offers
Ryan Daniels, Meta spokesperson
Meta says it will study the report’s findings. A company spokesperson claims that the platform does not allow false information to remain online, but does allow discussion: “We allow posts and advertisements that promote health services, as well as discussion and debate around them. Reproductive health content must follow our rules, including those on prescription drugs and misinformation. Advertisements promoting reproductive health products or services may only be directed to people 18 years of age and older.”
Google has not yet responded.
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