In the aftermath of an attempted insurrection by President Donald Trump's supporters last week at the US Capitol building, Facebook has served up ads for defense products to accounts that follow extremist content, according to the Tech Transparency Project, a nonprofit watchdog group. Those ads -- which include New Year's specials for specialized body armor plates, rifle enhancements, and shooting targets -- were all delivered to a TTP Facebook account used to monitor right-wing content that could incite violence. [...]

These ads for tactical gear, which were flagged internally by employees as potentially problematic, show Facebook has been profiting from content that amplifies political and cultural discord in the US.

"Facebook has spent years facilitating fringe voices who use the platform to organize and amplify calls for violence," said TTP Director Katie Paul. "As if that weren't enough, Facebook's advertising microtargeting is directing domestic extremists toward weapons accessories and armor that can make their militarized efforts more effective, all while Facebook profits." [...]

During Monday's interview, Sandberg also addressed the proliferation of hate-related content on Facebook. "I think there's a false belief that we somehow profit, that people somehow want to see this content," she said. "That's just not true." [cue laughter]

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.

Facebook Warns Employees Not to Wear Company Gear In Public After Banning Trump

Facebook's internal security team has warned employees not to wear or carry any Facebook-branded gear in public.

"In light of recent events, and to err on the side of caution, global security is encouraging everyone to avoid wearing or carrying Facebook-branded items at this time," the memo said without apparently mentioning Trump by name. [...]

It's no surprise that social media companies are worried about backlash from Trump's cadre of dangerous extremists. Though one can't help but wonder where we'd be today had companies like Facebook and Twitter taken Trump's authoritarian language more seriously over the past four years. [...]

Facebook and Twitter may have done the right thing by banning Trump after the Capitol coup attempt, but it's way too late to call leadership at these companies anything but complicit in the damage Trump has done to the country. There would very likely be no Trump presidency without Twitter and Facebook.

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.