Man Runs For CA Gov So He Can Post False FB Ads

CNN reports:

A San Francisco man is going to extreme lengths to call out Facebook’s controversial policy of allowing politicians to run false ads on its platform.

On Monday morning, he registered as a candidate in California’s 2022 gubernatorial election — not with the primary goal of becoming governor, but so he can run false Facebook ads of his own. Facebook allows politicians, including candidates for public office, to run ads on its platform that are not fact-checked.

That policy has drawn criticism from Democrats who say it will help President Trump’s re-election campaign. Former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign wrote to Facebook asking the company to remove a false ad the Trump campaign ran about Biden and Ukraine earlier this month. Facebook denied Biden’s request.

OK. Just got off the phone with my strategy team. I am running for Governor of California on a platform of regulating social media. If you want to volunteer with media or platform, email [email protected]. I am completing my form 501 today and will submit it in Sacramento.

— Adriel Hampton, #CAGov candidate ? (@adrielhampton) October 28, 2019

Adriel Hampton, a political activist who registered to run for governor of California so he could run false ads on Facebook, hopes his stunt will encourage Facebook to change its policy https://t.co/Hu9GRUfxo8 pic.twitter.com/JttfjgOWn5

— CNN Business (@CNNBusiness) October 29, 2019