Google Will Stop Showing Political Ads In The European Union Starting 2025

JAKARTA Google announced that it will stop showing political advertisements in the European Union (EU) next year. This new policy will take effect on various Google-owned platforms, including YouTube.

This rule was made because the EU will inaugurate regulations regarding the Transparency and Targeting of Political Ads (TTPA). According to Google, this latest regulation creates legal uncertainty for advertisers and political platforms.

TPPA also poses operational challenges for platforms that allow political advertising as these rules cover a wide range of issues and are difficult to identify on a large scale. To avoid future errors, Google decided to stop facilitating political advertising

"Therefore, Google will stop broadcasting political advertisements in the EU before the TTPA takes effect in October 2025. In addition, paid political promotions, if eligible as a political advertisement based on TTPA, will no longer be allowed on YouTube on the EU," Google said on its official website.

Google realizes that political advertising can be one of the information it users need. What's more, the public needs to access credible information to deal with disinformation. However, Google should do this because it feels inconsistent with the regulations that will be inaugurated.

The company also explained that it had expressed concern during the legislative process, but it seemed that Google and several other parties' opinions were not heard.

"This rule ultimately fails to provide the necessary clarity and specificity that will allow us to comply with its requirements," Google explained. "We regret having to take this step."

Although Google has stated that it will stop supporting political advertising in Europe, this giant technology company is still evaluating its decision. Next year, Google will provide more detailed information about this decision.