Twitter political advert ban comes into force

30 October 2019, 21:28

Twitter has banned political advertising on its site
Twitter has banned political advertising on its site. Picture: PA

By Maddie Goodfellow

The social media giant's plan to ban all political advertising on their site came into force on Thursday, just three weeks before the General Election.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey announced last month that the company will ban all political ads globally.

The social media firm also announced last week that it would ban all ad mentions of political candidates and legislation.

Twitter confirmed that ads will not be allowed to advocate for certain outcomes on political or social causes.

Mr Dorsey said last week: “We believe political message reach should be earned, not bought.”

The move comes after Facebook received criticism from lawmakers over its policy to neither fact check nor remove political ads on its site.

Facebook said that it does not think it should be the one to make decisions about its users speech.

Twitter has become the second social media platform to ban political advertising, after video app TikTok became the first social media platform to ban political adverts.

Twitter will begin enforcing its new policy on Nov. 22, Dorsey said, after it releases its final policy on Nov. 15.

In a series of tweets, Mr Dorsey explained the company’s reasoning behind the decision.

He said: “A political message earns reach when people decide to follow an account or retweet.

“Paying for reach removes that decision, forcing highly optimised and targeted political messages on people. We believe this decision should not be compromised by money.”

Dorsey said it would be “not credible” for Twitter to tell users it’s committed to stopping "fake news" while allowing political advertisers to pay Twitter to target target users.

He also appeared to take a swipe at Facebook, saying: “This isn’t about free expression. This is about paying for reach. And paying to increase the reach of political speech has significant ramifications that today’s democratic infrastructure may not be prepared to handle. It’s worth stepping back in order to address.”

The issue of false information on social media after Twitter, Facebook and Google refused to remove a misleading video advert from the President Trump campaign targeting Joe Biden from their sites.

In response, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, another presidential hopeful, ran an advert on Facebook taking aim at its Mr Zuckerberg, claiming he supported Donald Trump for reelection.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey made the announcement on his Twitter
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey made the announcement on his Twitter. Picture: PA

In an earnings call on Wednesday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said: "In a democracy, I don't think it's right for private companies to censor politicians or the news.

"And although I've considered whether we should not carry these ads in the past, and I'll continue to do so, on balance so far I've thought we should continue.

He stated: "Ads can be an important part of voice - especially for candidates and advocacy groups the media might not otherwise cover so they can get their message into debates."

Mr Zuckerberg also said a Facebook political ads archive does actually allow people to scrutinise the data behind them.

He commented that Facebook estimated political ads will be less than 0.5 per cent of its revenue next year.

"The reality is that we believe deeply that political speech is important and should be able to be heard, and that's what's driving us," he said.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has defended his site's decision to allow political ads
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has defended his site's decision to allow political ads. Picture: PA

UK MPs have reacted positively to Twitter's decision and called on Facebook to do the same.

The SNP's Stewart McDonald tweeted: "Good call. Now @facebook."

It was also praised by Lib Dem MP Sarah Wollaston, who tweeted: "Now let's hope @facebook stops the big money, targeted attack ads too that distort our democracy & fuel hate."

Labour's David Lammy, the SNP's Angus MacNeil and former home secretary Amber Rudd all also reacted to the announcement on Twitter.

"This is good news for getting a fair general election," Ms Rudd said.

Mr MacNeil said: "Facebook must follow".

Mr Lammy appeared to suggest Twitter should go even further, saying: "Now remove the cesspool of hate speech on here and ban the endless stream of deliberate fake news."

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

A view of the pollution caused by garbage and various wastes following the thousands of Palestinians displaced under the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel have returned to the northern Gaza Strip in Jabalia, Gaza on March 13, 2025.

US rejects Hamas’s ‘entirely impractical’ demands to implement ceasefire as talks reach impasse

The US has launched large strikes in Yemen as Donald Trump promised "overwhelming lethal force" until the Houthis cease attacks on shipping.

US launches strikes on Yemen as Trump promises 'overwhelming lethal force' against Houthis

"I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me," Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, posted on social media.

American influencer apologises after being threatened with deportation for snatching baby wombat from mum

Soccer - International Friendly - Venezuela v Nigeria

England star John Fashanu arrested over 'five crimes' as he sues police for £100,000 compensation

NASA astronauts Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

'Stranded' NASA astronauts set to return from nine month space mission - but what health issues could they face?

Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian captain of Solong container ship remanded in custody following crash with US oil tanker

BRITAIN-UKRAINE-DIPLOMACY-POLITICS-DEFENCE

'Coalition of the willing': Starmer hosts Ukraine peace summit as PM urges Putin to 'come to the negotiating table'

Melbourne, Australia. 15th Mar, 2025. Lando Norris of McLaren celebrates taking pole position during Qualifying at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Victoria, Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Lando Norris takes pole in Australia GP qualifying - as Lewis Hamilton trails in eighth on Ferrari debut

Merritt Island, Florida, USA. 14th Mar, 2025. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Crew-10 astronauts lifts off from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Mar. 14.

SpaceX rocket finally launches to bring two stranded NASA astronauts back to earth after nine months

Vladimir Putin must stop playing games with a ceasefire and come to the table, Sir Keir Starmer said, as he convenes world leaders to discuss peacekeeping in Ukraine

Starmer to host Ukraine peace summit - as he warns Putin to 'stop playing games' with ceasefire and come to table

Donald Trump speaks at the Justice Department

Trump insists peace talks with Russia are going 'really well' despite Putin being accused of 'delaying tactics'

The MV Stena Immaculate tanker after it was hit by the MV Solong container vessel in the North Sea

Captain of container ship Solong which crashed into US oil tanker charged with gross negligence manslaughter

Mark Carney

'It's crazy': Mark Carney says Canada will 'never be 51st US state', as he is sworn in as PM after Trump threats

Vladimir Putin has been accused of "delaying" tactics

Putin accused of 'delaying tactics' over Ukraine truce deal, as Zelenskyy says Russia is 'sabotaging diplomacy'

Mark Carney is sworn in as prime minister during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Friday

Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney sworn in as Prime Minister of Canada

Trump said he will end the 'mess' of the Ukraine war

Trump hails 'good and productive' talks with Russia as he urges Putin to spare lives of Ukrainian troops