Facebook, Postmedia update election advertising policies

Facebook Canada launched a series of new transparency tools ahead of the upcoming 2019 federal election.

The tools, which are part of Facebook’s effort to comply with Bill C-76, the Elections Modernization Act, will see a new authorization process that advertisers in Canada must go through, as well as an ad library and API.

Anyone who wants to run ads about social issues, elections or politics in Canada will first need to confirm their identity and location within Canada and disclose who is responsible for paying for and creating the ad. Facebook Canada’s head of public policy Kevin Chan said in a statement that this will be key in helping to prevent foreign interference.

Facebook will also identify a number of Canadian-specific issues, under the “ads about social issues, elections or politics” policy. Through consultation with Canadian leaders, Facebook has identified seven social issues that advertisers in Canada are likely to discuss, advocate or debate on Facebook that may influence the election. As such, ads discussing the following will be identified as relevant political ads: civil and social rights, the economy, environmental politics, health, immigration, political values and governance and security and foreign policy.

You can read the full story from Media in Canada here.