Facebook to expand transparency on Political Ads in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, March 8, 2021 (FBC) -Facebook has announced the expansion of two initiatives focused on increasing transparency and controls on social issue, electoral, and political ads to more countries around the world, including Ethiopia.

The first one is focused on empowering people to have more control over the ads they see on their feeds which entails the creation of controls that enable people to see fewer social issues, electoral, and political ads.

Commenting on the new feature, Facebook’s Policy Director, Africa Kojo Boakye said, “When people use this control, they’ll no longer see ads that run with a “Paid for by” disclaimer”. Political ads play an important role in every election. The feedback received from Facebook users was that they wanted the option to see fewer of these on their Facebook and Instagram feeds.”

In addition, Facebook is expanding the enforcement of social issue, electoral, and political ads to 20 additional countries.

Previously, advertisers in these countries may have chosen to use these tools. Now, they will be required to go through the authorization process and place “Paid for by” disclaimers on their ads.

This includes any person creating, modifying, publishing or pausing ads that reference political figures, political parties or elections (including “get out the vote” campaigns).

Ads will also be entered into Facebook’s Ad Library for seven years, according to a statement Facebook sent to FBC.