Facebook defends political ad policy despite calls to regulate spread of lies

Facebook leaders responded Tuesday to a planned protest at their San Francisco building over their political ads policy.

The protest had been planned at least a day in advance and went ahead as scheduled at about 9 p.m. Tuesday at 181 Fremont St.

Protesters projected messages intended for Facebook’s shareholders, who will be meeting Wednesday to decide whether to have the ads policy studied.

Protesters say that the company is opposed to having its political ads policy studied.

The protesters allege that Facebook will be allowing politicians and political campaigns to lie in their ads on the social media site.

“The shareholders should do something about” that, said Andrea Buffa, who represented the coalition holding the protest. The coalition included Bay Area groups Media Alliance and Global Exchange.

Facebook responded Tuesday afternoon.

The company’s statement said:

“Although we believe voters should judge what politicians say, that doesn’t mean anything goes in political advertising on Facebook.”

Facebook’s statement added:

“That’s why we prohibit everyone, including politicians, from engaging in hate speech, voter suppression, election interference or advocating for violence on our platforms.”