Facebook has banned adverts for hand sanitizers, surface disinfecting wipes, and COVID-19 testing kits on its social media platform, the company has announced. This new policy applies to both advert and commercial listings on Facebook Marketplace plus users trying to sell such products via organic posts on Facebook or Instagram.
This is coming after Facebook revealed that it plans to ban ads for medical face masks amid panic-buying that has resulted in a worldwide shortage where even health workers no longer have access to supplies.
Facebook is not alone in this fight as popular companies like Amazon, eBay and Etsy have also tried to restrict price gouging and attempts at profiteering from people’s fears. Apple and Google have banned all coronavirus-related applications that are not from official sources as well.