On Thursday, Facebook announced that it will not take on any new political ads in the week leading up to the United States (US) presidential election in November, and also remove or label posts that convey misinformation about COVID-19 and voting. The social media giant said that it acknowledges its powerful impact on public discourse and that these measures were taken to address concerns about election interference on its platform.
Though the restrictions on political advertising will be lifted after Election Day, the company has said that it will be introducing a new feature by which it will redirect users to accurate information about the results to ensure that candidates are unable to claim false victories.
Social media platforms have come under scrutiny in recent years over their handling of misinformation, given US President Donald Trump’s penchant for posting false information online and increasing concerns about foreign meddling in the November vote. Facebook came under heightened scrutiny following the 2016 general election, after it was accused of reacting slowly to Russians using the platform to promote Trump. More recently, the company has also come under fire for enabling the spread of hate speech against the Rohingya by the Myanmar military.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has, since then, sought to repair the negative perceptions surrounding his company and said that the network was preparing for what is sure to be an unusual election. “This election is not going to be business as usual. We all have a responsibility to protect our democracy,” he wrote in a post. “That means helping people register and vote, clearing up confusion about how this election will work, and taking steps to reduce the chances of violence and unrest”.
However, critics have said the measures do not go far enough, and loopholes could still allow political candidates to lie since campaigns will still be allowed to run ads purchased prior to the week leading up to the election. The limitations will also go into force only in the final week, which does not take into account states allowing early or mail-in voting that can, and will, occur before the changes take effect.
Facebook To Limit Political Ads Before US Election to Combat Misinformation & Interference
The restrictions on political advertising will be lifted after Election Day.
September 4, 2020
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. SOURCE: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY