Facebook apologizes for ad featuring Rehtaeh Parsons

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Posted September 18, 2013 6:10 am.

This article is more than 5 years old.

HALIFAX (NEWS1130) – The father of Rehtaeh Parsons says it was disturbing for family members to see a picture of his daughter in an ad for an online dating website.

Glen Canning says he was disgusted after the ad featuring a photo of his 17-year-old girl was posted on Facebook.

The ad featured a picture of Parsons under the heading, “Find Love in Canada! Meet Canadian girls and women for friendship, dating or relationships.”

Facebook apologized Tuesday, saying the ad was a “gross violation” of the company’s policies and has been removed.

Facebook said the dating website, which it said was Ionechat.com, has been banned from advertising on its website.

Ionechat.com could not be reached for comment.

Parsons was taken off life-support following a suicide attempt, which her family says was brought on by months of bullying following an alleged sexual assault.

Her family says her death was brought on by months of bullying following an alleged sexual assault.

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