New regulations aimed at clamping down on fake news and disinformation when it comes online political advertising are to be introduced. The Government has approved plans to regulate paid online advertising during election campaigns to provide the public more information and transparency on the funding of these ads. Online platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter or Google will be obliged to determine that the advert falls under the scope of the new regulations. The Government had recognised that there had been a significant loophole in the area of online advertising and while the industry has already taken some steps to combat disinformation it was felt that it should not be left up to online platforms to set their own rules around advertising. Chair of the Communications Committee, Hildegarde Naughton said online political advertising should be as clear as possible as to where it originates from and who the target audience is.

Source: Irish Examiner November 05, 2019 18:11 UTC