Facebook’s sexist, ageist ad-targeting violates Calif. law, court finds
Facebook’s sexist, ageist ad-targeting violates Calif. law, court finds Ars Technica
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Ruling Finds Facebook’s Ad-Targeting System Violates California Anti-Discrimination Law
A California court ruled last month that Facebook’s ad-targeting system, which routinely targets ads by age, gender, and other protected categories, violates a state anti-discrimination law. This ruling may require Facebook to overhaul its entire ad-targeting system.
The ruling came after Samantha Liapes, a 48-year-old Facebook user, filed a class-action lawsuit against the platform in 2020. Liapes alleged that Facebook discriminated against her as an older woman using the ad-targeting system to shop for life insurance policies. She claimed that Facebook’s ad-delivery algorithm intentionally excluded women and older people from seeing certain life insurance ads, causing harm by preventing her from accessing deals that were disproportionately advertised to younger and/or male audiences.
Liapes identified specific instances where life insurance ads were only sent to males ages 30 to 49 or people ages 25 to 45, excluding her as an older woman.
The court found that Liapes had stated a valid discrimination claim under California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits businesses from discriminating against people based on protected characteristics such as gender and age. Facebook did not dispute that women and older people were categorically excluded from receiving various insurance ads on its platform.
Ruling Could Impact All Targeted Ads Online
The court’s ruling has significant implications beyond Facebook’s ad system. It suggests that any gender- or age-based ad targeting for any product or service could violate the Unruh Act. If upheld, this ruling could have devastating effects on the entire Internet ecosystem.
Tech law expert Eric Goldman highlighted the potential impact of the ruling, stating that it raises new legal questions and may even raise First Amendment concerns. However, Goldman believes that it is unlikely the plaintiffs will ultimately prevail in this case due to the numerous legal obstacles they still need to overcome.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article
- SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article discusses how Facebook’s ad-targeting system discriminates against women by excluding them from seeing certain life insurance ads.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article highlights how Facebook’s ad-targeting system discriminates against older people, depriving them of information regarding insurance opportunities.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The article mentions California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits businesses from discriminating against people with protected characteristics, such as gender and age.
2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Based on the Article’s Content
- SDG 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere – The article addresses discrimination against women in the context of Facebook’s ad-targeting system.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status – The article highlights the discrimination faced by older people in accessing information about insurance opportunities.
- SDG 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere – While not explicitly mentioned in the article, the discrimination faced by women and older people can be seen as a form of violence or harm caused by exclusion from certain opportunities.
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress towards the Identified Targets
- Indicator for SDG 5.1: Proportion of women and girls subjected to discrimination or violence in the previous 12 months – The article discusses how Facebook’s ad-targeting system discriminates against women by excluding them from seeing certain life insurance ads.
- Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law – The article highlights the discrimination faced by older people in accessing information about insurance opportunities.
- Indicator for SDG 16.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age – While not explicitly mentioned in the article, the discrimination faced by women and older people can be seen as a form of violence or harm caused by exclusion from certain opportunities.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere | Proportion of women and girls subjected to discrimination or violence in the previous 12 months |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status | Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere | Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: arstechnica.com
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