Restrictions On Political Ads On Facebook Before Indian Elections

Shakti - Dec 09, 2018

Facebook will require the identities of people who are intent on posting political advertisements in India ahead of elections.

Anybody whose intention is to spread political advertisements will be asked about his exact individual information as well as his location. Facebook hoped that its control of ads could lead to more transparent elections which will take place in 2019.

Facebook said in a post that the company is determined to hinder the misusage of advertisement before the elections in India are held.

Facebook said in a post that the company is determined to hinder the misusage of advertisement before the elections are held.

It is necessary that people have more information about these ads – particularly those refer to legislation, elections, political parties, and political figures.

The adjustments were first introduced in the UK, the US, and Brazil. These changes were launched since the 2016 Presidential Elections in the US when American people detected the interference of Russia and a misinformation campaign running on Facebook.

Because the location and identity verification will last some weeks, Facebook suggested that to run political ads on time, advertisers should set up their projects and submit the related proof by their computers or mobile phones as soon as possible.

In early 2019, the social media giant will give disclaimer labels for any ads related to politics which have details of who put these ads. Besides, an Ad Library will be published online for everyone.

This library will inform people about the details of political ads: information of advertisers, the amount of money that spend on these, and how many people saw the ads and how they influence.

At the same time, the company will also start to apply the policy which only gives allowance for the political advertisements of admen who have identities confirmed and disclaimer labels.

The confirmation will not be required on eligible e-publishers, and their ads will not be included in the Ad Library, Facebook added.

Facebook concluded that authorizing advertisers could bring transparency in advertisements and prevent foreigners from interfering in the coming elections in India.