Facebook is bombarding rightwing users with ads for combat gear. See for yourself

[G_j]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/26/facebook-ads-combat-gear-rightwing-users?fbclid=IwAR0RVCyD5S9kyasF1P4tLh7GU93PSyrCKHN912BkQQafl97mdsMIGQlF1NI

n 16 January, Facebook announced that it will be “banning ads that promote weapon accessories and protective equipment in the US at least through January 22”. To those of us who have been observing the world of Trump-supporting social media, this announcement is a manipulative piece of whitewashing that obscures how Facebook’s algorithms continue to divide people the world over.

As part of my research while working as a consulting producer on Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, I made many pro-Trump social media accounts. The accounts were a window into the Trump echo-chamber, where the unhinged threats and vitriol posted by radicalized users are chilling. Yet as shocking as the posts can be, they make perfect sense if you look at the ads that bombard those accounts.

Roughly four out of five ads shown to my pro-Trump profiles sell tactical gear clearly intended for combat. This is not a new thing – it has been going on since I started looking at these accounts in June 2019, and it was probably going on much longer than that.

Despite not actually selling guns, the vast majority of the ads nevertheless display military-style weapons somewhere in their design. An automatic rifle slides into the tactical backpack. The body armor is worn by someone actively poised to shoot a semi-automatic weapon. A black T-shirt presents an image of a medieval crusader in full armor holding a contemporary handgun, accompanied by a biblical quote: “Blessed be the lord my rock who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.”


..more..

[SunSeeker]

1. It's an algorithm based on your past online searches.

I get bombarded with Facebook ads for covid masks and car gadgets.

[Sedona]

6. I get ads for plus size clothing and cooking utensils

Could there be a connection?

[SunSeeker]

12. LOL

[Hoyt]

2. As far as I'm concerned, anyone buying/owning body armor is a terrorist suspect.

[StClone]

5. Especially if cross referenced with B & B in DC area January 5-7

(My sister, after fund raising, bought her husband, a Deputy Sheriff, body armor when their department delayed updating the older vests.)

[Irish_Dem]

3. Why do so many Americans what to be GI Joes?

Flaunt guns, act out in a violent way.
This country is going crazy.

[kimbutgar]

4. I've seen them on a lot of left sites also

Raw story, Palmer etc. tactical combat beat, camouflage stuff etc.

It’s as if they are promoting and profiting off another insurrection in this country.

[Chainfire]

7. People think that they can buy themselves to safety in a time of chaos

It is a false dream.

The people who buy that stuff is preparing for a civil war. Many of them, in their fantasy worlds of Rambo, look forward to it.....

You or I can buy body armor, assault weapons, tactical gear, but it does not make us soldiers. For $1,500.00 you can get the whole shooting match.(sorry) Gun, camos, armor, boots, packs. Instant soldier on the Visa Card.

When you look at the cookie-cutter Trump-thumpers on the steps of various government buildings over the past couple of years, notice the physical condition of most of those middle-aged men. The gear is a security blanket for insecure people. When these guys put on 40 pounds of gear, it makes them look tough, but they couldn't run across the street with that stuff on without having a coronary. The ideal age for a soldier is 18, the Army will not take anyone over age 35. There is a reason for that.

A lot of people make a lot of money selling the tools of war to broken little men who desperately want to escape their boring lives. Everybody wants to be a hero....

I tell folks if they want to prepare to survive a civil war, the best way is to vote smart and prevent it from happening.

[Kaleva]

8. When not logged in, I see ads for the NRA here at DU

Another ad is one that tells me if I get a bidet, i wouldn't have to wipe my butt anymore.

[Chainfire]

9. If you get a bidet and you don't wipe your but, you will have soggy drawers!

If you buy into the NRA, you have a soggy brain.

[DFW]

10. I'm sure Zuckerberg's lawyers are working overtime

Making sure he is not liable to answer to a charge of aiding and abetting. I hope they are unsuccessful.

[Autumn]

11. I think it's based on your FB feeds. I have never seen an ad for combat gear.

[Mr.Bill]

13. What I think is hilarious are the ones who have tens of thousands

of rounds of ammunition in their garage. I'd be willing to bet that no citizen has ever fired ten thousand rounds of ammo in a battle with the evil government.