Canadian Conservative MP Mark Strahl posted a Facebook ad wishing his Chilliwack-Hope constituents a Merry Christmas.
Facebook banned the post for violating its policies on discrimination.
The ad was reinstated after appeal, with Facebook blaming the mistake on an error in its automated systems.
In the video ad, Strahl said: “From my family to yours, have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!”
He recorded the video while standing in front of a Christmas tree. He also thanked his constituents for how they responded to the BC floods and encouraged them to continue donating to local charities.
“Today, Facebook declared that my ad to wish my constituents a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays ‘didn’t comply with their Discriminatory Practices policy.’ The text with the ad literally said: ‘From my family to yours, have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!'” Strahl said in a statement. “We successfully appealed, however, this is a glaring example of censorship and overreach by tech giant companies who control so much of the online space.”
Strahl’s appeal of the decision was successful and the ad was reinstated. Facebook blamed the removal of the ad on an error in its automated systems.
“Sometimes our automated review systems get things wrong, which is why advertisers can appeal and request a review of the decision,” a Facebook spokesperson said in an emailed response.
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