Google has banned all advertisements for both sides in the abortion referendum in Ireland. The ban applies to all sites under the Google brand, including YouTube, and follows Facebook’s decision to ban all adverts relating to the referendum from advertisers outside of Ireland. The decision has divided commentators. While some have welcomed the move as ensuring a fair debate, others see it as an attempt to rig a referendum that looks increasingly close. Pat Leahy, political commentator at the Irish Times, wrote: