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Meta to Require AI Disclosure for Political Ads Ahead of Canadian Elections

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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.

EU Launches Investigation into TikTok Over Election Interference

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On Tuesday, the European Commission officially opened formal proceedings against TikTok over concerns regarding its failure to prevent election interference, particularly during Romania’s presidential election last month.

Focus of the Investigation

The Commission’s investigation will primarily examine TikTok’s policies on political advertisements, including paid political content, and the platform’s recommendation systems to determine whether they could be manipulated to influence elections. TikTok will be required to provide detailed information about its content moderation practices and the risks associated with these systems.

The investigation, which could lead to further enforcement actions or commitments from TikTok, has no set timeline for completion. However, the opening of formal proceedings allows the Commission to take further steps if necessary.

TikTok’s Defense

In response, TikTok, owned by China’s Bytedance, defended its actions, stating that it had safeguarded the integrity of its platform across more than 150 elections globally. TikTok emphasized that it does not accept paid political advertisements and actively removes content that violates its policies, such as misinformation and hate speech.

On December 5, the European Commission ordered TikTok to freeze data related to the Romanian election under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which governs the operation of major social media companies in Europe. The Romanian court later annulled the election due to allegations of Russian interference and the victory of pro-Russia ultranationalist Calin Georgescu.

Broader Context and Future Elections

The Commission is concerned about potential foreign interference in upcoming elections, such as Germany’s parliamentary election in February and Croatia’s presidential election starting on December 29. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed the need to act swiftly and firmly against any foreign interference, particularly during elections.

This marks the third investigation the European Commission has opened against TikTok under the DSA, with previous cases focusing on risks to minors. One investigation was closed after TikTok agreed to remove its TikTok Lite Rewards program in the EU.

 

Harris Campaign Launches $370 Million Fall Ad Push in Key Battleground States

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The Harris presidential campaign has announced a massive $370 million advertising push, focusing on key battleground states in the lead-up to the November election. With $170 million allocated for TV ads and $200 million for digital platforms, the campaign aims to dominate high-viewership moments and secure prime advertising slots before they are sold out.

This aggressive strategy comes in the wake of President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. The campaign’s objective is to define Harris to voters before the Trump campaign can do so, particularly in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Nevada.

The Harris campaign is prioritizing digital ads on platforms like Hulu, YouTube, and Spotify, reflecting a shift towards engaging voters in today’s fragmented media environment. The campaign has already spent over $33 million on TV and radio ads, with an additional $43 million on Facebook and Google ads, making it the biggest spender in the race so far.

Trump’s campaign has downplayed the Harris campaign’s ad blitz, criticizing it as overspending, but Harris’ team believes this early investment will pay off by securing better ad placements at lower costs. The campaign’s strategy also includes targeting moderate voters by running daytime ads on Fox News, aiming to win over supporters of former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley.

This significant ad spend marks a crucial phase in the 2024 election cycle as both parties gear up for the final sprint towards Election Day, making their case to voters in pivotal swing states.