Scoop: Meta to extend block on new election ads
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Meta will extend its ban on new election ads for the week leading up to the election until several days after the polls close, Axios has learned. The tech giant informed advertising partners about the shift on Monday.
Why it matters: The ban on new political ads was initially supposed to expire at 11:59 p.m. PT on Election Day, but Meta is extending the ban to prevent any confusion or misinformation from spreading while votes are still likely being counted.
Catch up quick: Meta instituted its policy of blocking new political ads from running in the week leading up to Election Day during the last presidential cycle, arguing there may not be enough time for candidates to contest new claims made in ads during the final week of the campaign.
- It later adjusted its policies to temporarily stop all social issue, electoral, or political ads from running after the polls closed on November 3rd.
Zoom in: This cycle, Meta isn't banning all political ads after the polls closed, but new political ads won't be allowed until after Meta informs ad partners that the restriction has been lifted in the days following the election.
- Meta could take more restrictive actions this cycle if necessary, but it has yet to announce further changes to its policies.
- Meta's policies do not allow ads that prematurely claim victory or attempt to delegitimize the election. Any ads that attempt to run with those messages should be blocked by Meta's system.
Zoom out: Tech companies are on high alert this year following the chaotic spread of misinformation around the last presidential election.
- Google last month said it would block election ads across all of its platforms after the last polls close on Nov. 5.
- Most social media companies have eased content moderation policies and restrictions on former President Trump's accounts with the exception of Snapchat, where Trump's account is still banned.
