Google bans abortion ads ahead of Irish referendum
The move comes after Facebook announced it would not allow any foreign sources to promote material related to the referendum.
Google is to ban all adverts related to Ireland’s abortion referendum.
The move comes as part of efforts to improve “election integrity” in the run-up to the Eighth Amendment poll.
Facebook announced on Tuesday it would block foreign campaign material on its platform after fears were raised over outsider influence.
Dublin (Niall Carson/PA)" data-title="Campaign posters in Dublin" data-copyright-holder="PA Wire" data-copyright-notice="PA Wire/PA Images" data-credit="Niall Carson" data-usage-terms="" srcset="https://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/dac47ef45b196cb92fceeba6083e7f17Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTI1OTY1MDIx/2.35947695.jpg?w=214 214w, https://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/dac47ef45b196cb92fceeba6083e7f17Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTI1OTY1MDIx/2.35947695.jpg?w=428 428w, https://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/dac47ef45b196cb92fceeba6083e7f17Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTI1OTY1MDIx/2.35947695.jpg?w=857 857w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px">Ireland has some of the strictest laws on terminations in the world, with the procedure barred unless the mother’s life is in danger.
Repealing the amendment would enable laws allowing abortion of pregnancies up to 12 weeks.
Votes will be cast on Friday May 25.
The technology giant’s ban is to be enforced from Thursday, covering its Google and YouTube sites, and will stay in place until after the vote.
Posted by Facebook Dublin on Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Last month Irish data protection commissioner Helen Dixon raised concern that foreign actors could try to influence the referendum.