Allegations against Meta and Google have surfaced, suggesting their involvement in limiting reproductive health advertisements and perpetuating misinformation.
A recent report has pointed fingers at these tech giants, alleging misconduct across regions in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Allegations of Reproductive Health Restrictions
A recent study conducted by MSI Reproductive Choices and the Center for Countering Digital Hate has shed light on Meta and Google's actions in limiting access to reproductive health information across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
According to the report, these tech giants have been accused of curtailing local abortion providers' advertisements and allowing the spread of misinformation to persist, among other transgressions. Meta's restrictions prevent MSI from disseminating abortion-related advertising content due to existing bans.
Moreover, local reports indicate that other content related to sexual and reproductive health has also faced censorship. Similar challenges were echoed by MSI's teams in Nepal and Vietnam, where Meta allegedly removed ads promoting cervical cancer screenings and information on IUDs and contraceptive pills, respectively.
MSI claims that Meta has imposed a "blanket advertising ban" in these countries without providing clear justification. Additionally, in Ghana, Google reportedly blocked ads containing the phrase "pregnancy options," as reported by the local MSI team.
Whitney Chinogwenya, a marketing specialist at MSI Reproductive Choices, emphasized the neglect faced by women and girls due to major tech platforms prioritizing profits over the public good.
She highlighted the critical importance of accurate online information for individuals seeking timely reproductive care and factual knowledge about their options.
Chinogwenya expressed concern over the ease with which anti-choice groups disseminate disinformation and harmful narratives online, with platforms like Google and Meta facilitating and profiting from such dangerous propaganda.
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In Ghana, Kenya, and Nepal, MSI teams faced hurdles in reaching out to Meta and acquiring explanations for the restrictions on their ads. Conversely, the team in Bangladesh managed to establish contact and resolve their issues effectively.
However, Kenya, Nigeria, and Vietnam encountered a distinct challenge: the proliferation of counterfeit Facebook pages and websites, often indistinguishable from authentic ones except for a contact number.
MSI's Efforts and Meta's Response
MSI urged Meta and Google to remove these fraudulent entities, some of which solicited money from potential clients. However, the companies allegedly delayed or neglected to take any action in response to these requests.
Meta is currently reviewing the findings, with spokesperson Ryan Daniels informing The Guardian that they allow posts and ads promoting healthcare services, as well as discussions and debates surrounding them.
Content concerning reproductive health must comply with their regulations, including guidelines on prescription drugs and misinformation. Ads promoting reproductive health products or services are limited to individuals aged 18 and above.
They explicitly prohibit ads containing misinformation or that mislead individuals about a business's services and promise to thoroughly review the report's contents.
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