NEW YORK (US) – Facebook Inc announced on Saturday that it will ban advertisements related to weapon accessories and protective gear in the US with immediate effect until at least two days after President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20.
Following the attack by supporters of President Donald Trump against the US Capitol on Jan. 6, the social media company said it will now prohibit ads for accessories such as gun safes, vests and gun holsters in the United States.
“We already prohibit ads for weapons, ammunition and weapon enhancements like silencers. But we will now also prohibit ads for accessories,” Facebook said in a blog post.
Three senators sent a letter to Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg on Friday asking him to permanently block advertisements of products that are clearly designed to be used in armed combat.
The senators, all Democrats, said the company must take this and other actions to “hold itself accountable for how domestic enemies of the United States have used the company’s products and platform to further their own illicit aims.”
Facebook on Friday blocked the creation of any new Facebook events in close proximity to places such as the White House and Capitol in Washington, as well as state capitol buildings, through Jan. 20.
The FBI has warned of armed protests being planned for Washington and all 50 state capitals in the run-up to the inauguration.
