April 11, 2021
2 mins read

‘Facebook job ads biased against women’

Researchers at University of Southern California found that Facebook’s ad delivery system biased against women…reports Asian Lite News

The ad delivery system of Facebook is biased towards women, showing them different job listings than it shows to men, a new study has revealed.

Researchers at University of Southern California found that Facebook’s ad delivery system discriminates against women, reports The Verge.

The team of researchers bought ads on Facebook for delivery driver job listings that had similar qualification requirements but for different companies.

The findings showed that Facebook targeted the Instacart delivery job to more women and the Domino’s delivery job to more men.

According to the researchers, Instacart has more female drivers but Domino’s has more male drivers.

“Facebook’s ad delivery can result in skew of job ad delivery by gender beyond what can be legally justified by possible differences in qualifications,” the researchers wrote, “thus strengthening the previously raised arguments that Facebook’s ad delivery algorithms may be in violation of anti-discrimination laws.”

Facebook. (File Photo: IANS)
Also read:Gender inequalities on art of writing

In a similar experiment on Microsoft-owned LinkedIn, the researchers found that the professional networking platform showed the Domino’s listing to as many women as it showed the Instacart ad.

A Facbeek spokesperson said in a sttaement that their system takes into account “many signals to try and serve people ads they will be most interested in, but we understand the concerns raised in the report”.

“We’ve taken meaningful steps to address issues of discrimination in ads and have teams working on ads fairness today. We’re continuing to work closely with the civil rights community, regulators, and academics on these important matters,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying.

This is not the first time Facebook has faced allegations over gender bias in its algorithms.

In 2017, a joint investigation by US-based non-profit organisation ProPublica and The New York Times found companies like Verizon, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Target and Facebook place recruitment ads limited to particular age groups.

Another ProPublica probe found that Facebook allowed housing advertisers to target audiences by race and exclude minorities, raising questions about whether the company is in compliance with federal fair housing rules that prohibit such discrimination.

Facebook, however, called it a “technical failure”.

Also read:61 lakh Indians hit by Facebook data leak

Previous Story

Power struggle intensifies in Iran

Next Story

‘Unlocking may cause 3rd Covid wave in UK’

Latest from -Top News

Hasina’s Defiant Words Before Ouster

Reportedly before leaving Hasina wanted to record a farewell speech to be aired on television, but military officials declined….reports Asian Lite News Following a violent student uprising last year, the Bangladeshi military

US Lawmakers Push AI Watchdog on China

The lawmakers stressed that “there is a strong national security need for better understanding, predicting, and preparing for the PRC’s AI progress…reports Asian Lite News Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja

Trump’s 51st State Pitch to Canada

The development follows a meeting between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on May 6, where Trump praised Carney’s political success….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump claimed that he

Azhar Acquittal Sparks Outrage in Bangladesh

Jailed for nearly 13 years for war crimes, Azharul was received by party leaders and activists at the jail gate by his radical supporters….reports Asian Lite News Once accused of committing crimes

Trump Warns Putin: ‘Playing with Fire’

Trump on Sunday made harsh remarks on both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky…reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that he is “playing with fire”
Go toTop

Don't Miss

JI calls for overhaul of trans laws

The JI’s proposed amendment bill opposes this provision of the

Supreme Court rejects gender-neutral passports

The judges, though, said the lack of a gender-neutral option