Dublin: An upcoming vote on abortion has turned Ireland into ground zero in the global reckoning with how foreign interests can deploy social media to distort democratic politics.

With the May 25 referendum less than two weeks away, Facebook announced on Tuesday that it would stop accepting related advertisements from groups based outside of Ireland. The restriction testifies to the depths of concern that foreign advertising could skew the outcome.

And it highlights the technology company's tortured attempt to move past criticism that it became a conduit for misinformation and outside meddling during the Brexit and US presidential campaigns in 2016.

Demonstrators pose during the March for Choice in Dublin in September 2017. Credit:PA

"We understand the sensitivity of this campaign and will be working hard to ensure neutrality at all stages," Facebook said in a statement, adding that it is asking political parties, campaign groups and an unaffiliated transparency initiative to flag advertisements, which the company will then investigate. It is also deploying machine learning to identify inappropriate content. "Our goal is simple: to help ensure a free, fair and transparent vote on this important issue."