From next year, Facebook will show more information about the origin of political ads. Advertisers must, therefore, pass on their identity, location, and client to the social media company.
More transparency is, according to Facebook, ‘good for democracy and the electoral process.’ The measures are on the eve of the American investigation into possible Russian interference in the US presidential elections, in which Facebook itself is being questioned.
Facebook CEO Zuckerberg announced changes last month. The promise was a response to the great criticism that Facebook, like Google and Twitter, got on the abuse of its advertising services around the presidential elections. According to the social networks themselves, there was a Russian influence. It is unclear to what extent that was the case.
More Documentation
Political ads on Facebook will be adjusted in 2018. Facebook is going to ask more documentation from advertisers, such as their identity, location, and client. A link to the ads will also show information about the origin and the amount paid.
A test in Canada has to show how this will be exactly as of November. Facebook is still working on machine learning technology that unveils the identity of advertisers who do not proactively contribute to greater transparency.