TECHNOLOGY
Facebook launched an archive of U.S. political ads that appear on the world's largest social network, showing who paid for them and other details, after an outcry over Russians' alleged purchase of such ads during the 2016 elections. The archive tool will be rolled out to other countries in coming months, it added. Facebook, which has 2.2 billion monthly active users, pledged seven months ago to create a cache, saying on the eve of U.S. congressional hearings that it wanted to increase transparency about its role in political advertising.
Facebook launched an archive of U.S. political ads that appear on the world's largest social network, showing who paid for them and other details, after an outcry over Russians' alleged purchase of such ads during the 2016 elections. The archive tool will be rolled out to other countries in coming months, it added. Facebook, which has 2.2 billion monthly active users, pledged seven months ago to create a cache, saying on the eve of U.S. congressional hearings that it wanted to increase transparency about its role in political advertising.
Digital services such as Facebook, Twitter Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google and YouTube have upended how political campaigns reach voters in many countries because of their power at targeting ads at narrow audiences and their low cost compared to television ads. Beginning on Thursday, all U.S. ads about elections or political issues on Facebook and Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, must be labeled with the payer, Rob Leathern, Facebook's director of ad product management, said in a post on a company blog. The archive begins with ads that ran in May.
Clicking on the label will take people to a searchable archive with information such as the campaign budget, how many people saw it and the demographics of those people such as age, location and gender, Leathern said. "We believe that increased transparency will lead to increased accountability and responsibility over time - not just for Facebook but advertisers as well," Leathern said.
Google and Twitter have said that they plan to build similar searchable databases. Facebook's archive is a "big step" in right direction, tweeted Democratic Senator Mark Warner, a co-sponsor of legislation to require internet companies to publish political ad data. However, legislation is needed to avoid a "patchwork of disclosure across social media," he added.
A Russian propaganda arm tried to tamper in the 2016 U.S. elections by posting and buying ads on Facebook, according to the company and U.S. intelligence agencies. Moscow has denied involvement.
In February, the office of U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies with participating in a criminal and espionage conspiracy.
The United States is entering a heated political season ahead Nov. 6 elections that will test the strength of President Donald Trump. Voters will choose all 435 members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the 100-member Senate.
Aryan to Anaya: Ex-Indian cricketer, coach's son undergoes sex change surgery
Shillong Teer Result OUT for November 11, 2024: First and second round Monday lottery results here
Maruti Suzuki launches new Dzire: Check price, features of Tata Tiago, Honda Amaze rival
Sebi’s Rs 25 crore penalty plea against Mukesh Ambani dismissed by SC in THIS case
Big blow to former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna as SC denies bail in rape case
6,6,6,6,6,4,4,4,4,4: Shubman Gill's MASSIVE 268 runs in Ranji against...
Berjis Desai’s crime thriller “Murder at the Racecourse” keeps you on the edge
'We went totally wrong...': Rohit Shetty opens up on casting Arjun Kapoor in Singham Again
Shah Rukh Khan's Marjaani gets BTS makeover, watch Jungkook, V, Suga's viral dance
'India's finest': Netizens pour in emotional tributes as Vistara readies for last flight today
Vistara to make last flight today before Air India merger, all you need to know
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal offers job to X user who suggested THIS BIG change
What is Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani's son Anant Ambani's annual salary? Know all about his net worth
Veteran actor Delhi Ganesh cremated with Air Force honours, here's why
'We got the...': Germany grooves to Marathi song Taambdi Chamdi, netizens go berserk; WATCH
Kamal Hassan asks fans to not call him 'Ulaganayagan', says 'this decision comes from....'
'I fell and it went...': Vijay Deverakonda REACTS after video of him falling down stairs goes viral
BIG update on Rohit Sharma's participation in 1st Test against Australia, he is all set to…
Justice Sanjiv Khanna takes oath as 51st Chief Justice of India
Ajay Devgn spills the beans on his 14-year-old son Yug's love life, says 'he is not afraid....'
11/11: Why November 11 is a good day for manifestation? Know how, when you can manifest today
Onion prices rise to Rs 80 per kg: Check rates in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Chennai
Guru Purab Bank Holiday November 15: Are banks open or closed on Guru Nanak Jayanti?
Meet Indian genius, world's youngest female Chartered Accountant who secured AIR 1, she is from...
Delhi continues to choke amid rising air pollution, AQI breaches 350...
Avatar 3: New posters of James Cameron's film feature fire tribe, stunning visuals go viral
This country lets male tourists marry women for a few days due to....
Maharashtra polls: Congress suspends seven more rebel candidates
Meet man who quit high-paying job in US, then built Rs 150 crore company in India, his business is…
Viral video: Little girl wins heart with adorable dance to 'aayi nai' song, watch
Queen Elizabeth's 1947 wedding cake slice sold in auction at this SHOCKING price
Viral video: Woman's sizzling dance to 'tere liye' leaves internet drooling, watch
Meet man who leads Rs 185985 crore company as CEO, son of Indian billionaire, he is...
'We don't encourage...': Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal launches new feature 'Food Rescue' to reduce...
Before Pakistani TikTok star Minahil Malik, actress Rida Isfahani's MMS video leaked online by...
Watch: Virat Kohli gets annoyed at Mumbai airport, asks paps to stay away from…
Watch: David Miller's spectacular one-handed catch shocks Tilak Varma in IND vs SA 2nd T20I
Do you see 11:11? What's the secret behind this number?
'Najar Na Lage': Sidhu Moosewala’s parents perform annaprashan ceremony for chota Sidhu, watch
Baba Siddique murder case: Main shooter, 4 others arrested in UP
Justice Sanjiv Khanna to be sworn in as 51st Chief Justice of India tomorrow
Delhi Pollution: Air quality remains in 'very poor' zone, AQI reaches over 330
'Fictosexual': Japanese man celebrates six years of marriage with his virtual wife
J-K: Army officer martyred, 3 soldiers injured in gunfight with terrorists in Kishtwar
This is world's richest politician, much wealthier than Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, he is...
Want a bride-like glow? Try Deepika Padukone’s secret juice for perfect glow
Meet Robin Passi, billionaire heir and son of Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives fame Shalini Passi
Tulsi Vivah 2024 Time: Date, shubh muhurat, rituals and significance
MrBeast, Logan Paul ride rickshaw in Mumbai, distribute chocolates to paparazzi; WATCH viral video
Azim Premji buys stakes worth Rs 4757 crore in Rs 297000 crore company