With Inauguration Day set to take place on Wednesday, Jan. 20, Facebook is taking precautions to quell the potential spread of violence.
According to The Verge, Facebook has enacted a temporary ban on ads that promote weapon accessories and protective equipment. These measures were taken “out of an abundance of caution,” as explained via Facebook’s latest blog update outlining its plan. They’ll be in place until at least Jan. 22.
This isn’t an entirely new avenue for Facebook. As stated in its blog, the platform already prohibits ads for weapons, ammunition, and other weapon-related goods. Specifically, the ban now extends to “gun safes, vests, and gun holsters in the US.”
Previously, Facebook outlined plans to monitor its platform for “signals of violence” ahead of Inauguration Day. Tactics included pausing all political ads and blocking new Facebook events happening in close proximity to the White House, the US Capitol, or other state capitol buildings.
These additional policies appear to be in response to criticism that Facebook had allowed organizers to convene on the platform to discuss the Capitol building attack prior to Jan. 6.
Facebook claims that it will remove any content that violates its rules with these new measures in place. The social media giant did not comment on whether those who violate the rules will be able to keep their accounts.
