Google PH banning poll-related ads

Google Philippines on Wednesday announced it would not accept election-related ads during the campaign period for the May 9, 2022 elections, as part of the tech giant’s global efforts to protect the integrity of the democratic process especially in countries most vulnerable to disinformation. A poll watchdog and the Commission on Elections welcomed the move.

Tech giant Google on Wednesday announced it would not be accepting election-related advertisements during the campaign period for the May 9, 2022 elections, as part of its global efforts to protect the integrity of the democratic process especially in countries most vulnerable to disinformation.

In a statement, Google Philippines said the policy would apply to election advertisements purchased through Google Ads, Display and Video 360, and shopping platforms that advertisers intend to place on Google, YouTube and partner properties, from Feb. 8 to May 9, 2022.

The official campaign period for national candidates begins on Feb. 8 and on March 25 for local candidates, and ends on May 7.

Ads that “promote or oppose any political party or the candidacy of any person or party for public office” will not be allowed, Google said in an update to its political content policy.

“Google is focusing its efforts and resources on upcoming election-related initiatives which aim to help people access useful and accurate information via product features and media literacy programs, encourage participation in the voting process, and help protect the integrity of the elections,” it added.

The move comes amid growing global pressure on giant social media platforms like Google, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube over their handling of political advertisements, most notably in the 2020 elections in the United States.

The companies were accused of failing to curb and remove potentially incendiary content disguised as political ads, and of further fanning division and polarization especially in societies that have become highly dependent on social media for news and information.

Several analysts have pointed out that social media platforms like Facebook were crucial in boosting the campaign of then candidate Rodrigo Duterte for the presidency in the 2016 elections and of his allies in the 2019 midterm polls.

President Duterte, whose term ends in June next year, is seeking a Senate seat while his eldest daughter Sara Duterte is running for vice president in tandem with Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Ban welcomed

Danilo Arao, convener of election watchdog Kontra Daya, welcomed Google’s decision, saying “it can help curb forms of disinformation, especially Red-tagging which causes human rights violations.”

“Of course there are still various ways for candidates and political parties to advertise online,” he warned, noting that Facebook and Twitter have yet to make similar moves.

Arao called on the other social media platforms to follow suit “to prove that they are serious about gatekeeping.”

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) also welcomed the decision.

“I guess the concern has always been that ads on the internet are unregulated and people are concerned we will be overwhelmed with ads. I think the concern is well-founded that these will unbalance the playing field,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told reporters on Wednesday.

“Obviously if you have more money for use then you get more airtime on the internet and while it’s cheaper than broadcast advertising that still adds up to a lot of money. So this will be a help for everyone,” he added.

Google currently supports independent campaigns like the Comelec’s #MagpaRehistroKa (Register) campaign by hosting its website on Google Cloud and promoting it on its social media pages.

It also launched the English-Cebuano #YOUTHink magazine in partnership with online study platform Canvas to fight misinformation through media literacy.