Meta, which is behind Facebook and Instagram, has previously announced that ads with political content, such as election advertising and what is described as social issues, will not be allowed within the union from October 6, 2025.
The EU's new regulations on transparency in political advertising make it too complicated and uncertain, stated the American tech giant in connection with the decision.
Henrik Lysell, The Cancer Foundation's unit manager, is aware of the decision, but had not expected that their ad about mammography would be affected by the change. In the ad, which was removed on Tuesday, there was an appeal to "go for mammography when you are called".
It's about highlighting a recommendation that is very important, he says.
Important source of information
Social media is an important channel for information, says Lysell, who is now worried that a large group of people will not be reached by the information.
It's thousands, certainly hundreds of thousands, that we reach through Facebook. For some, it may be the only source of The Cancer Foundation's information.
In Meta's decision to remove the ad, it is stated, among other things, that it violates advertising rules regarding social issues, elections, or politics.
The Cancer Foundation received the message on Tuesday and has not yet been in contact with Meta.
"Problematic"
Charlotte Rydh, Secretary General of the trade association Giva Sverige, which represents non-profit organizations, has been in contact with Meta before the change.
I cannot answer why they removed individual ads, but it is clear that as a consequence of their way of interpreting the EU's regulations on political advertising, many of our members' ads will be stopped.
Rydh means that Meta's decision to include "social issues" makes the change very comprehensive.
Then, of course, as an organization, you can make posts about it on Meta's various platforms. It's just the advertising that they have restricted by covering more than the EU's regulation. So yes, this is problematic.
Cornelia Mikaelsson/TT
Facts: Meta's ban on political advertising
TT
From October 6, 2025, Meta will no longer allow political ads on its platforms within the EU.
According to Meta, the decision is due to the EU's new regulation on transparency and targeting of political ads – TTPA (Transparency & Targeting of Political Ads) which comes into force on October 10, 2025.
The ads that are affected are those that previously had to be categorized as "social issues, elections, or politics".
This includes: civil and social rights, crime, economy, environmental and climate issues, health, immigration, political values and governance, as well as security and foreign policy.
If an ad is rejected by Meta, there is an opportunity to appeal the decision.
Sources: Meta, Giva Sverige
