Facebook and Instagram to ban marketing of guns and vapes on platform
Category: #headlines  By Saipriya Iyer  Date: 2019-12-21
  • share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
Facebook and Instagram to ban marketing of guns and vapes on platform

Instagram and Facebook have reportedly announced to shut down a loophole that lets vendors sell vapes and guns on their platforms. The social networks have already banned marketing of these products, however, through this move they are aiming to completely restrict these merchants from taking advantage of the loophole.

Both social networks stated that they're prohibiting "branded content" by influencers that markets tobacco, weapons and vaping. Users would also witness "special restrictions" over posts that market and promote products like diet supplements and alcohol.

Technology giant, Facebook stated that enforcement for these new regulations would take effect soon in the coming weeks. The social media platform is also working over its tools to help content creators honor the new policy. The policy includes regulations like putting minimum age demands or their content.

While announcing the policy change, Instagram stated that the company invests in several novel ways to support creators to collaborate more effectively with other brands. However, it is also very crucial for the company to have policies and tools that give transparency and safeguard the community. Instagram further added that the advertising policies of the company have long restricted the advertisement of such products. The company would also begin enforcement of new policy soon.

This is for the first time that Instagram is restricting what influencers can post on their feeds, and it is considered overdue by some. Instagram and Facebook have both come under scrutiny as they let social media stars market harmful products on their platforms. This also includes possible underage users. In few cases, the influencers who market these products don't even use or understand them.

Now, up to some extent, Facebook would possibly not have much choice. The Advertising Standards Authority in the UK has banned Instagram posts that were showing under-25s marketing vaping. If the social media platform now doesn't eliminate these posts by itself, regulators would possibly impose restrictions of their own on the platform.

Facebook is not the only tech giant that has recently decided to keep itself away from the vaping and e-cigarette industry. Recently, in November, Apple stated that it would ban all the apps related to vaping from its App Store. The company removed 181 apps that were tied to the use of e-cigarettes.
 

Source credit: https://www.engadget.com/2019/12/18/facebook-instagram-ban-influencer-gun-vaping-posts/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACCWPKPMPy4VIm3ZQg3e-nK7o_EG2pbCSCwo9SklAjMZPP73KKJK7AZw8US-sp1Ch3GbjCyQQqWVYtsyabVQ3JNVaVrDU7WLtqP_lpDH1AvNbW-y4Vr-bCnK0OB9TeUvrddUhqrFX63ozEM7DwbpwJPex7KR0Y-84boF9EBURjLZ

  • share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

About Author

Saipriya Iyer

Saipriya Iyer    

Saipriya Iyer currently works as a content developer for GroundAlerts. A computer engineer by profession, she ventured into the field of writing for the love of playing with words. Having had previous experience of 3 years under her belt, she has dabbled with website ...

Read More >>

More News By Saipriya Iyer

Djamo app raises $14 million, aims to expand in Francophone Africa
Djamo app raises $14 million, aims to expand in Francophone Africa
By Saipriya Iyer

Djamo, the popular consumer finance app has reportedly secured $14 million from the renowned accelerator, along with three lead investors like Oikocredit, Enza Capital, and Partech Africa, and other participating investors, such as P1 Ventures, Janng...

COP27: Historic climate cost deal made but no progress on fossil fuels
COP27: Historic climate cost deal made but no progress on fossil fuels
By Saipriya Iyer

A historic agreement has reportedly been made at the UN's COP27 summit that will see wealthy nations pay developing nations for the harm and economic losses brought on by climate change. Nations dealing with severe climate impacts have been wa...

Canada: Kelowna's minimum wage for local workers has increased by 24%
Canada: Kelowna's minimum wage for local workers has increased by 24%
By Saipriya Iyer

According to a recently published report by the Canadian Centre for Policy, the hourly pay required for local employees to make ends meet has reportedly increased significantly in the Okanagan city of Kelowna. The living salary is the hourly salar...