Facebook cracks down on discriminatory ads after years of backlash

ACLU hails 'sweeping changes' after company criticized over ad targeting based on race, gender and age

Facebook is taking steps to block discriminatory ads for housing, employment and credit by preventing advertisers from targeting users based on race, gender, age and zip code.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other rights groups, which sued Facebook for violating civil rights laws with its ad practices, announced the "historic settlement" on Tuesday, saying "sweeping changes" would restrict illegal and discriminatory ad targeting.