Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, will no longer allow political ads on its platforms in the EU as of October 6. The reason is that the Union has introduced new regulations on transparency around political advertising that make it too complicated and uncertain, the American technology giant stated in connection with the decision taken this summer.
It is now clear that Meta is also banning information from the Election Authority about Swedish elections on the platforms, according to DN.
"Facebook and Instagram have been a major channel for us to inform about where, when and how the election is taking place. Therefore, the announcement is a serious democratic problem," says Anna Nyqvist, head of the Swedish Election Authority, to the newspaper.
During the last parliamentary election, the Swedish Election Authority advertised for SEK 1.9 million with Meta. In a letter to the company, the authority expressed its concern about the decision, which it believes will make it more difficult for the authority to counter disinformation in connection with the election.
According to DN, which contacted Meta, the company refers to a previous statement in which it writes that the new EU regulations are too far-reaching.
