February 28, 2012 | Online

Facebook ad system says gay = faggot

Facebook has promised to rework its current automated ad system, which suggests the use of certain words to help advertisers reach their target audience. A flaw in the system was discovered when it started suggesting using words like 'faggot' and 'sissy' to market to gays.

“I was left speechless," said UK blogger Darren Hemmings. "Is [faggot] really a word Facebook should be using within its platform – a word I could probably get fired and/or arrested for using in work or on the street?

“Showing me hate terms for the very people I am trying to target isn’t just offensive – it's plain stupid. I’m not gay, but if I were and I saw that being offered as a term supposedly related to various gay artists, I’m pretty sure my anger would be even greater than it is now.”

Other recommendations included racial terms, and the words 'slut' and 'cunt.'

“Facebook does not tolerate hate speech, discrimination or bullying against any individual or group of people," said a spokesman for Facebook. “To ensure our advertising targeting tool is used appropriately, we have a list of blacklisted words which advertisers cannot target against.

“We are looking into the specific examples raised and hope to have a fix in place as soon as possible.”

Computers: keeping life interesting.

Facebook to fix system which tried to suggest ads for ‘faggots’ [PinkNews]