TfL Facebook ad banned for negative stereotype about black men

TfL’s Facebook ad was cut down from a two-minute film called: ‘Would you know how to act like a friend?’ Photograph: ASA/PA

A Transport for London (TfL) ad featuring a black teenage boy verbally harassing a white girl has been banned for “perpetuating the negative racial stereotype about black men as perpetrators of threatening behaviour”.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the “irresponsible” ad – which was the subject of a complaint – featured a “harmful stereotype”.