Race issues emerge as a challenge for tech companies like Uber, Facebook
Lawmakers on Tuesday objected to a Facebook feature that allows advertisers to target housing ads to exclude certain racial and ethnic groups from promotions and marketing.
In another race-related development that affects tech companies, the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said a study had indicated a pattern of discrimination by drivers of ride hailing apps against both African Americans and women.
“We are writing to express our deep concerns with reports that Facebook’s 'Ethnic Affinities' advertising customization feature allows for advertisers to exclude specific racial and ethnic groups when placing housing advertisements,” U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, a Democrat from Illinois, G.K. Butterfield, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and two other representatives wrote in a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
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