Google and Meta block political ads to tackle misinformation ahead of U.S. elections

Google and Meta are blocking political ads to address misinformation ahead of the U.S. elections. Meta has extended its ban on new political ads across Facebook and Instagram, while Google plans a temporary pause after polls close. TikTok has not allowed political ads since 2019.

Experts express concern that these measures may be insufficient due to previous cuts in safety teams and policies. Misinformation has already spread widely, with claims of election fraud and misleading narratives gaining traction on platforms like X, which lifted its political ad ban last year.

Despite the ad pauses, experts warn that the platforms' algorithms still promote contentious content. Major tech companies claim to be enhancing election integrity by directing users to reliable information and removing harmful content, but enforcement remains a challenge.