The Department of Housing and Urban Development has brought charges of Fair Housing Act violations against Facebook.
HUD’s case claims that Facebook illegally restricted “who can view housing-related ads on Facebook’s platforms and across the internet” and also that the media giant “mines extensive data about its users and then uses those data to determine which of its users view housing-related ads based, in part, on these protected characteristics” according to a press release issued by HUD.
Fair Housing laws forbid discrimination in housing. It also states that it is illegal to discriminate in connection with “housing-related services” which can include advertising (online or otherwise) that targets race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or family status.
The complaint against Facebook will be heard by a United States Administrative Law Judge “unless any party to the Charge elects to have the case heard in federal district court” according to HUD. If the case is ruled in favor of HUD, the judge may award damages against Facebook “for harm caused by the discrimination”. Punitive damages are also a possibility.
If you believe you have experienced discrimination in the housing process at any stage, file a complaint by contacting the HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY).