Schona Jolly QC instructed to make EHRC submissions on alleged discriminatory practices by Facebook

Schona Jolly QC

As widely reported in domestic and international media today, Schona Jolly QC has been instructed by AWO Legal on behalf of Global Witness to make detailed submissions to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and to investigate alleged discriminatory practices at and by Facebook in respect of its job advertising model.

Evidence submitted as part of the request appears to show that Facebook is failing to prevent unlawful discriminatory targeting by employers posting job advertisements, and that Facebook itself may be unlawfully discriminating against users in respect of its use of algorithms and ad targeting. That evidence has been used also in a complaint filed by AWO to the Information Commissioner’s Office. Facebook has provided an initial response, as reported by the BBC today: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58487026.