Facebook approved ads promoting violence in wake of Brazil riots

Facebook approved a series of online ads promoting violence in Brazil, days after protesters ransacked government buildings, according to a new report.
Earlier this month, thousands of supporters of Brazil’s far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the nation’s congress, supreme court, and presidential palace in an attack lasting more than three hours.
In an attempt to stem the flow of posts inciting violence online, Facebook’s parent company Meta said it had designated Brazil as a “temporary high-risk location” and removed content calling for people to take up arms or forcibly invade government buildings.
However, four days after the uprising, human rights organisation Global Witness found Facebook was still allowing ads containing death threats and other calls to violence on its platform.
Using fake accounts, the group submitted 16 bogus ads to run on the platform, 14 of which were approved for publication.