Twitter to Expand the Types of Political Ads Allowed on Its Platform

Twitter on Tuesday mentioned it will develop the kinds of political adverts allowed on the social media platform, an obvious reversal of its 2019 international ban on political adverts, because the Elon Musk-owned firm seeks to develop income.

The firm tweeted it will additionally loosen up its promoting coverage for “cause-based ads” within the United States, and shifting ahead would align its promoting coverage “with that of TV and other media outlets.”

Twitter banned political adverts in 2019 after it and different social media firms like Facebook confronted widespread criticism for permitting election misinformation to unfold throughout its companies. It additionally restricted adverts associated to social causes.

“We believe political message reach should be earned, not bought,” tweeted Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s then-chief government, in saying the transfer.

Since Musk took over Twitter in late October, company advertisers have fled in response to the Tesla CEO shedding 1000’s of workers, reversing the everlasting suspension of former U.S. President Donald Trump and dashing a paid verification characteristic that resulted in scammers impersonating publicly listed firms on Twitter.

Last month, Musk defended his deep cost-cutting measures, and mentioned Twitter had been dealing with “negative cash flow” of $3 billion (roughly Rs. 24,900 crore) subsequent 12 months.

Twitter not too long ago restored a characteristic that promotes suicide prevention hotlines and different security assets to customers wanting up sure content material, after coming underneath strain from some customers and client security teams over its removing.

Reuters reported in December that the characteristic was taken down, citing two folks acquainted with the matter, who mentioned the removing was ordered by the social media platform’s new proprietor Elon Musk.

After publication of the story, Twitter head of belief and security Ella Irwin confirmed the removing and known as it non permanent. 

About 15 hours after the preliminary report, Musk, who didn’t initially reply to requests for remark, tweeted “False, it is still there.” In response to criticism by Twitter customers, he additionally tweeted “Twitter doesn’t prevent suicide.”

The characteristic, often called #ThereIsHelp, locations a banner on the prime of search outcomes for sure matters. It has listed contacts for help organizations in lots of international locations associated to psychological well being, HIV, vaccines, baby sexual exploitation, COVID-19, gender-based violence, pure disasters and freedom of expression.

© Thomson Reuters 2023