Why did TikTok ban political ads while Meta allows them?

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TikTok Banned Political Ads While Meta Allows Them Due to Differing Platform Philosophies and Transparency Measures

TikTok has decided to prohibit political advertising on its platform, prioritizing its identity as a space for entertainment and fun activities. In contrast, Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, will permit political advertisements for the upcoming 15th general election (GE15), emphasizing transparency and voter engagement. Meta's approach is underpinned by a strategy to remove violating content, reduce the spread of misinformation, and provide context for shared information, while advertisers must undergo an authentication process and all political ads will be publicly accessible for seven years.
Meta's Stance on Political Advertising

Meta's head of politics and government outreach in Asia-Pacific, Roy Tan, articulated the company's rationale for allowing political advertising, stating it empowers individuals to hear from those seeking leadership roles and enables smaller parties to connect with voters. This decision is guided by the principle that voters should have access to information from potential leaders to make informed choices. Meta employs a three-pronged strategy: removing content that breaches community guidelines, limiting the distribution of low-quality and false news, and providing context for shared information.
Transparency Measures Implemented by Meta

To ensure accountability and transparency, Meta mandates that advertisers in Malaysia authenticate their identity and location. All political and election-related advertisements will be logged in a searchable "Ad Library," which will retain data for seven years. This archive allows the public to view who commissioned the advertisements, how much was spent, and who was targeted, thereby fostering informed decision-making among voters on polling day. Meta also reported removing over 600 accounts in August 2022 for coordinated inauthentic behaviour, allegedly linked to a "troll farm" associated with the Malaysian police force.
TikTok's Decision to Disallow Political Ads

TikTok's representatives stated that the platform will not permit political advertising, aiming to maintain its focus on providing enjoyable content. Their decision stems from lessons learned during elections in the Philippines and the United States, leading them to implement robust mechanisms to combat misinformation and false news. TikTok utilizes a combination of policies, technology, and human moderation, alongside partnerships with fact-checking organizations, to ensure the accuracy and credibility of content shared on its platform.
TikTok's Commitment to Credibility and Fun

Despite the potential loss of revenue, particularly during election periods, TikTok prioritizes content that is both truthful and entertaining. The company invests in systems designed to counter misinformation, aspiring to be a credible space for users, especially during significant events like elections. TikTok's moderation team investigates all reported inappropriate activities internally, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining a secure and reliable environment for its users.

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Why did TikTok ban political ads while Meta allows them?

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