Facebook and Google Extend Their Broad Sweeping Bans on Political Ads

Much like we had planned to always wear pants while working, Facebook and Google had planned to lift their bans on political advertising one week after the election concluded. But yesterday we wrote this in boxers, and both platforms extended their bans for the next few weeks.

The argument for: Allegations of voter fraud continue to circulate on social media despite state election officials from both parties finding no evidence to support those claims, per the NYT.

• In an email to advertisers, Facebook said, “While multiple sources have projected a presidential winner”—this would be Joe Biden—“we still believe it’s important to help prevent confusion or abuse on our platform.”

The argument against: Banning political advertising ahead of two runoff Senate elections in Georgia is like using a “rusty ax” for “something that deserves a scalpel,” Republican digital strategist Eric Wilson told Reuters. Some Dems agree—a blanket ban makes it difficult for candidates of either party to rally support online.

Bottom line: Critics argue the ad ban doesn’t address the real issue afflicting social media—the spread of misinformation in unpaid, organic posts.