Facebook allows advertisers to pinpoint certain potential tenants or homebuyers while filtering out others, HUD alleged. | Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images Trump administration charges Facebook with housing discrimination

The Trump administration today charged Facebook Inc. with violating housing discrimination laws.

The social media company allows advertisers to divert housing listings away users who mention terms such as “assistance dog” and “mobility scooter,” or who live in certain zip codes, in violation of the Fair Housing Act, HUD alleged.


In addition, the Justice Department today joined a lawsuit against Facebook, saying in a “statement of interest” that the company discriminates by helping advertisers pick preferred users.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing transactions, including print and online advertising, on the basis of race, religion or sex, among other things. Facebook allows advertisers to pinpoint certain potential tenants or homebuyers while filtering out others, HUD alleges.

“When Facebook uses the vast amount of personal data it collects to help advertisers to discriminate, it's the same as slamming the door in someone's face,” said Anna María Farías, HUD's assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity.

A Facebook spokesperson said in a statement: "There is no place for discrimination on Facebook; it’s strictly prohibited in our policies,” adding that the company will respond to DOJ's statement of interest in court.

