Amidst widespread attention, Facebook rightfully apologized and admitted an error on blocking a breast cancer awareness ad. The Swedish cancer charity Cancerfonden had posted the ad to help spread information about breast cancer.
The social networking site has billions of users worldwide. It is a significant platform in reaching out people about these diseases. Such content should not be blocked. However, Facebook explained that the images contained in the ad were flagged as offensive.
How Can A Breast Cancer Awareness Ad Be Offensive?
Cancerfonden has immediately taken an action after the said breast cancer awareness ad was blocked. According to the Digital Trends, an open letter to Facebook was posted on its site. Cancerfonden mentioned that the ad was meant to disseminate information not to offend anyone.
Communications Director Lena Biornstad shared the same sentiment. She reiterated that such medical information saves lives and in no way offensive. Facebook's initial action replaced the circular-shaped breast image with squared ones. The eventual removal of the ad would hinder the charity's goal of helping women with potential breast cancer.
Facebook Has Already Apologized
Cancerfonden has accepted the tech company's apology. They can now continue to spread breast cancer awareness to more people. Facebook has admitted that they sometimes mistakenly prohibit ads. The problem lies in the limited number of personnel that monitors millions of advertising images.
Facebook pointed out that the said ad did not violate their policy. The tech giant has already approved the breast cancer awareness ad.
Facebook's Censorship
Facebook recently announced that it's going to allow more images and stories "even if they might otherwise violate our standards". VP for Global Public Policy Joel Kaplan and VP for Global Operations & Media Partnerships Justin Osofsky have revealed that they would still make sure that such images and stories will not pose safety risks. The updated approach will still consider what minors and others should not see. Facebook playable ads will not pose future problems.
