Mark Zuckerberg Chairman and CEO of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook, Inc.) | Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook, Inc.)
From early October 2025, Meta will cease allowing political, electoral, and social issue advertisements on its platforms within the European Union. This decision is in response to the EU's new Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) regulation. The regulation introduces challenges that make it difficult for advertisers and platforms to operate effectively.
Meta emphasizes the importance of online political advertising as a means to connect people with important information about their representatives. "That's why Meta has gone above and beyond many of our peers – and well beyond what is required by law – to ensure the political ads served on our platforms are authentic and information about them is transparent," stated a company representative.
Since 2018, Meta has implemented tools providing transparency for ads related to politics, elections, and social issues. Advertisers must complete an authorization process proving their identity and location, include a “paid for by” disclaimer on ads, which are then stored in a publicly accessible Ad Library.
The TTPA imposes additional obligations that complicate ad targeting and delivery. These restrictions could lead to less relevant ads being shown on Meta's platforms. Despite engaging with policymakers about these concerns, Meta faced an "impossible choice" between altering services without compliance assurance or stopping such ads in the EU altogether.
Meta's decision applies only within the EU; elsewhere, they will continue offering tools for authentic political advertising. This change does not prevent organic political debate or content sharing by politicians within the EU but limits paid advertisement amplification.
Meta believes personalized ads are crucial for various advertisers informing voters about significant social issues affecting public discourse. Regulations like TTPA hinder their ability to provide these services effectively.