Facebook has again been accused of censorship - this time by an alleged victim of sex-pest former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo - after the social media giant banned an ad from its site for her new book because it contains the word 'penis' in the title.
Karen Hinton, a former Cuomo aide who accused the disgraced governor of bullying and 'inappropriately' hugging her 20 years ago, writes about sexism experienced in government in her book, Penis Politics: A Memoir of Women, Men and Power.
Hinton's publisher had planned to place ads for the book on Facebook, but the word for male genitalia appeared to set off alarm bells and the postings were rejected, she said.
Karen Hinton, pictured with a selection of her favorite books, was planning on launching an ad campaign on Facebook for her memoir but the ads have been rejected because the title of the book has the word penis in it
Hinton aired her grievances with Facebook online saying the actions were 'not surprising'
Facebook has banned ads on its site for Hinton's book, which is about sexism in government rather than anything sexual
'Today Facebook banned ads for my upcoming book Penis Politics because the company objects to the title,' Hinton told Page Six.
'Facebook should be ashamed. My book is about toxic power relationships in schools, the media and politics. It's not about sex.
'Facebook's actions are not surprising. The company has a documented history of promoting misogynistic content and sexual violence against women. Yet they are afraid of the word 'penis' in a book about sexual harassment.
'Facebook also employs a double standard which is mind-boggling in 2021. Facebook features pages and pages about the highly acclaimed play, Vagina Monologues.
'They embrace 'vagina' but appear to be scared off by a little 'penis.' The advertising campaign on Facebook for my book was supposed to start today.
'I am calling on Facebook to reverse this decision and stand for free speech, not banning books,' Hinton railed.
Hinton, who also was an aide to outgoing New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, had previously coined the term 'penis politics' to describe ways in which powerful men assert control over women subordinates.
Her memoir is about 'the toxic brew of ego, entitlement, and bro-culture' in politics.
Facebook has come under fire for the company's decision-making on what is suitable for its site, most notably for its ongoing ban of former President Donald
