Meta Platforms (META.O) announced on Thursday that it will require advertisers to disclose the use of AI or other digital techniques in political or social issue ads ahead of Canada’s federal elections. This move aims to combat misinformation and increase transparency in the political advertising landscape.
The new disclosure rule will apply to ads featuring photorealistic images, videos, or realistic-sounding audio that have been digitally altered to show a real person saying or doing something they did not actually say or do. It will also apply to ads showcasing non-existent individuals or fabricated events, altered footage of real events, or misleading depictions of events that may not be accurate.
In November 2023, Meta extended its ban on new political ads following the U.S. election to combat misinformation. The company also prohibited political campaigns and advertisers in regulated sectors from using its generative AI advertising tools. Despite these efforts, Meta had a setback earlier this year when it scrapped its U.S. fact-checking programs amid pressure from conservatives to overhaul its approach to political content.
Additionally, Meta has introduced a feature allowing users to disclose when they share AI-generated content, enabling the platform to label such media accordingly.
