DSCC Chair Catherine Cortez Masto and DCCC Chairwoman Cheri Bustos issued the following statement on recent announcements from Facebook and Google that they plan to ban political ads immediately after Election Day:
“Let us be crystal clear: Political ads are not the problem.
“Facebook is not alone in needing to address the serious threat posed by disinformation that is spread organically across its platform; Google and Twitter have vital work to do on this issue as well. But in light of these last-minute announcements, Facebook and Google must commit to reinstating political ads—a critical tool to providing accurate information about how voters can ensure their votes are counted—and provide a defined timeline for when they will do so.
“We have repeatedly called on tech companies to recognize the great responsibility they have to protect voters on their platforms against disinformation. The recent announcements that political ads will be blocked on Facebook and Google after polls close on Election Day do little to stop bad actors from pushing dangerous disinformation organically, especially in the critical period before results are finalized. The need for accurate information on these platforms is only more critical because Republicans have regularly questioned the integrity of the election.
“These decisions from Facebook and Google come just weeks before this election and provide only vague descriptions that leave important questions unanswered, like the policy surrounding potential run-off scenarios or urgent announcements like protocol around recounts.
“Facebook and Google have been made aware of the limitations that banning political ads will create for campaigns in their efforts to provide accurate information to voters, particularly voters in marginalized communities, before election results are officially certified.”
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