"This is an issue we have been thinking about for some time."

Facebook has announced that it will stop accepting ads about the Eighth Amendment referendum from advertisers based outside of Ireland from today. A new verification process will require the advertisers to be resident in the country where the vote is taking place. Organisations within Ireland will still be able to advertise as normal on Facebook. The company said that it is responding to concerns about people and groups outside of Ireland trying to influence voters ahead of the referendum this month. Facebook wants to "help protect the integrity of elections and referendums from undue influence," it said in a post today.

"We understand the sensitivity of this campaign and will be working hard to ensure neutrality at all stages. "We are an open platform for people to express ideas and views on both sides of a debate. Our goal is simple: to help ensure a free, fair and transparent vote on this important issue."

Facebook has been intensely criticised in the recent past for its handling of its role in the political sphere. The news has been welcomed by Together For Yes, the Irish group campaigning to repeal the 8th Amendment. [caption id="attachment_394992" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg[/caption] "Facebook is the modern-day billboard, and until today, external campaigners had free rein to interfere with and manipulate the conversation Ireland is having around removing the 8th Amendment from our Constitution," said the group's Co-Director Ailbhe Smyth. "Together For Yes previously voiced our strong concerns about Trump and Brexit-style social media tactics being used in the referendum, and urged people to be vigilant of biased information masquerading as neutral sources."