Three US women sue Facebook over alleged male-targeted job ads

  • 19/09/2018

Facebook is being sued over ads that a group of US workers claim discriminate against women. 

The social media giant allegedly targets male users with job ads that do not appear for female users, the Guardian reports. 

The Communications Workers of America union, which represents hundreds of thousands of female workers in the United States, is representing three women suing Facebook. 

Linda Bradley, one of the complainants, said she was "shocked" to find that discrimination is still happening in the recruitment area. 

"I shouldn't be shut out of the chance to hear about a job opportunity just because I am a woman."

Facebook has been accused of providing job ads which allow employers to target the people they want based on age, sex and ethnicity, the Guardian reports. 

It has also been alleged that the company earns money from advertising jobs that exclude women and older people from being able to view them. 

It is illegal for companies in the US to discriminate against people based on sex, after a 1973 Supreme Court ruling. 

The same rule applies in New Zealand, where the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act protects all New Zealand citizens from discrimination on the basis of sex. 

Facebook has defended itself against the accusations, saying in a statement discrimination has "no place" in the company, and that it is "strictly prohibited in our policies". 

The company said it has "strengthened" its systems to "further protect against misuse."

"We are reviewing the complaint and look forward to defending our practices."

Newshub.