Social Media Giant Extends Ban on New Political Ads
Election Day Policy Update
Meta, the social media giant, has announced an extension to its ban on new political ads on Facebook and Instagram, surpassing the original end date of Election Day in the U.S. The company revealed the policy update on Monday, stating that the restriction will continue “until later this week,” without specifying the exact date.
Background on the Policy
In August, Meta declared that political ads that ran at least once before October 29 would still be allowed to run on its services in the final week leading up to Election Day. However, new political ads will not be permitted during this period. This policy aims to prevent the spread of misinformation and allow sufficient time for contesting claims made in ads.
Limited Editing Capabilities
Organizations with eligible ads will have restricted editing capabilities during the ban. They will be able to make changes related to scheduling, budgeting, and bidding, but not alter the ad content itself.
Similar Policy in 2020
This is not the first time Meta has implemented such a policy. In 2020, the company enacted a similar ban, citing concerns about the spread of misinformation.
Google’s Similar Move
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, recently announced a similar policy update, pausing ads related to U.S. elections from running in the U.S. after the last polls close on Election Day.
Billions Spent on Political Ads
According to AdImpact, nearly $1 billion has been spent on political ads over the last week, with the majority going towards down-ballot races across the U.S.
Tech Investment in AI Development
Despite the current focus on political ads, tech companies like Meta continue to invest heavily in AI development, recognizing its potential to transform various industries.
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