Facebook puts ads on pages illegally selling animal parts

Source: Associated Press


Michael Biesecker and Michael Liedtke, Associated Press
Updated 5:53 pm, Tuesday, April 10, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facebook is displaying advertisements for well-known American corporations along with content from group pages operated by overseas wildlife traffickers illegally selling the body parts of threatened animals, including elephant ivory, rhino horn and tiger teeth.

In a secret complaint filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, wildlife preservation advocates allege that Facebook's failure to stop illicit traders using its service for illegal activity violates the social network's responsibilities as a publicly traded company.

In a statement Tuesday, Facebook said its community standards forbid the sale of wildlife, endangered species or their parts. The company said it removes groups engaging in illegal conduct when it's identified.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified Tuesday on Capitol Hill. Asked about wildlife trafficking and other illegal activity happening on Facebook, he said the company could do a better job.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/business/technology/article/Facebook-puts-ads-on-pages-illegally-selling-12820051.php