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Facebook has a new self-service advertising portal that is raising eyebrows. The portal allows for targeting specific demographic profiles and as such, reportedly allows advertisers to exclude users based on race. In one section of the portal, advertisers have the ability to include or exclude segments of the user-base based on several factors, including “ethnic affinity” – therefore excluding users with an “affinity” for African-American, Hispanic, Asian, or other people. Effectively creating a scenario where ads could be seen only by Caucasian viewers. Facebook maintains that its policies “prohibit advertisers from using the targeting options for discrimination, harassment, disparagement or predatory advertising practices.”
