Google to block election ads after polls close to combat misinformation

[Craig Nigrelli]

IN A MOVE TO PREVENT VOTING MISINFORMATION … GOOGLE ANNOUNCED IT WILL BLOCK ALL ELECTION ADS AFTER THE LAST POLLS CLOSE ON ELECTION DAY.

THE COMPANY DID THIS FOR THE 20-20 ELECTION AND SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE THE POLICY TO LIMIT THE POTENTIAL FOR CONFUSION SINCE VOTES WILL LIKELY CONTINUE TO BE COUNTED AFTER NOVEMBER FIFTH. 

DURING THE PAUSE, GOOGLE WILL STILL RUN PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ADS CREATED BY STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. 

IN 20-20, GOOGLE LIFTED THE POST-ELECTION BAN IN DECEMBER AHEAD OF A RUNOFF ELECTION IN GEORGIA. 

THAT’S EXPECTED TO BE THE CASE AGAIN THIS ELECTION. 

THE POLICY REFLECTS AN ONGOING TREND IN DIGITAL PLATFORMS TAKING PROACTIVE MEASURES TO ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT POLITICAL ADS CAN HAVE ON THE VOTING PROCESS.

OTHER COMPANIES LIKE META ALSO PLAN TO BLOCK POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ADS DURING THE LAST WEEK OF VOTING.

GOOGLE IMPLEMENTED THE SAME AD BLOCKING POLICY AFTER THE CAPITOL RIOT ON JANUARY SIXTH 20-21 … REMOVING THE BLOCK IN FEBRUARY.  

FOR SAN – I’M CRAIG NIGRELLI. 

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