Social media under microscope in emotive Irish abortion vote

DUBLIN (AP) — Debate is raging in homes, pubs and streets across Ireland over whether to lift the country's decades-old ban on abortion.

Online, the argument is just as charged — and more shadowy, as unregulated ads of uncertain origin battle to sway voters ahead of Friday's referendum, which could give Irish women the right to end their pregnancies for the first time.

The emotive campaign took a twist this month when Facebook and Google moved to restrict or remove ads relating to the abortion vote.

Those decisions came amid concern about the role in the campaign of untraceable or foreign-funded online ads, which aren't covered by Irish electoral rules.

But anti-abortion campaigners say the restrictions are an attempt to hobble their successful online advertising strategy.

See Also:

• Russian billionaire Abramovich runs into UK visa issues

• China says it can't guarantee no more trade tension with US

• Duchess of Sussex offers insight into her new role