Bengaluru: Google is introducing a searchable Political Ads Library in India along with a country-specific political advertising transparency report in an effort to bring more transparency to online election ads ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The company said the political ad database, along with the report, will go live in March and will provide information on who is purchasing election ads on its platforms and how much money is being spent on these ads, among others.
Rival Facebook had introduced similar norms for political ads in the country in December last year and plans to launch a searchable election ad library next month.
Google will verify the identity and eligibility of advertisers before running their respective election ads on its platforms, with the advertiser verification process starting from February 14, 2019.
NEW DELHI: In a bid to promote “transparency” in online political advertisements ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Google is introducing an India-specific ad library, where people can get information on the amount of money spent on online ads featuring political content.
Both Congress social media and digital communications in-charge Divya Spandana and AAP social media strategist, Ankit Lal, supported the idea in principle but also pointed out the possible shortcomings of the initiative. A senior BJP social media office did not respond to TOI calls. The library, which will be functional from March this year, was formulated in consultation with the Election Commission of India a statement put out by Google said.
Election Commission of India | Facebook | Google | Loksabha | Political As Database
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