Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced an extension of its ban on new political ads, originally set to lift at the end of Election Day.
This decision, communicated to advertising partners on Monday, means that new political ads will remain prohibited for several days following the election. The policy aims to mitigate the spread of misinformation during a critical time when ballots are still being counted.
Initially implemented during the last presidential election, the ban was designed to allow candidates sufficient time to contest claims made in ads shortly before the polls closed. Meta’s current policy is an evolution of that approach, reflecting a growing recognition of the complexities surrounding electoral communication in the digital age. The company previously allowed political ads that had already run before a set date, but now it has tightened the reins even further, halting the introduction of any new ads until they determine it is appropriate to resume.
This cautious stance is in line with broader industry trends, as tech companies remain vigilant against misinformation following the tumultuous events surrounding the last election. For instance, Google has announced similar restrictions, pausing all election-related ads once the polls close on November 5.
Meta’s policy not only aims to curb the potential for confusion and misinformation but also aligns with its efforts to foster a more responsible online environment. In recent years, the company has faced scrutiny over its role in the spread of misinformation, particularly following criticisms that arose during the 2016 election. Since then, it has made concerted efforts to enhance transparency and accountability within its advertising framework.
Despite the stringent measures, Meta continues to allow previously running political ads to remain on its platforms, offering advertisers limited editing capabilities while the new ad ban is in effect. This strategy seeks to strike a balance between enabling ongoing political discourse and safeguarding the electoral process from potential disruptions caused by last-minute advertisements.
Forbes, Axios, CNBC, and the Atlantic contributed to this report.
