Search
 

Age discrimination and Facebook: Micro-targeting comes under fire

A seldom used, but often-overlooked provision of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibiting a preference for age in advertising has come into sharp focus in the social media age.

By Jeffrey Campolongo, Emily Wisniewski | Updated on January 30, 2018
Based largely off the data collected about its users, tech companies can “micro-target” segments of the population through what you post, to what you read, to who you interact with on your devices, etc. (Image: Shutterstock)

Fifty years ago, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) was enacted to prohibit and eradicate systemic age discrimination that aging workers faced in the workplace. Congress determined that older workers faced discrimination in hiring, and that the arbitrary setting of age limits led to higher unemployment rates for older workers, see 29 U.S.C. Section 621.

In an effort to thwart such discrimination, Congress prohibited employers and employment agencies from discriminating based on age in employment, advertising, recruiting, hiring and other employment opportunities, and also made it unlawful to send or publish employment ads that discriminate or indicate a preference or limitation based on age.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited BenefitsPRO.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical BenefitsPRO.com information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

BenefitsPRO

Join BenefitsPRO

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to navigate the shifting employee benefits industry. Join BenefitsPRO.com now!

  • Unlimited access to BenefitsPRO.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on BenefitsPRO.com and ALM events.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join BenefitsPRO

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.