Friday, May 9, 2025
MAKE A DONATION
Get in Touch
The Free Speech Union
Member Login
BECOME A MEMBER
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
      • Company Staff
      • Founders & Board
      • Advisory Council
      • Legal Advisory Council
      • Writer’s Advisory Council
      • Scottish Advisory Council
      • Northern Ireland Advisory Council
    • The Freedoms We Defend​
      • Freedom of Speech
      • Freedom of Expression
      • Academic Freedom
      • Freedom of the Press
      • Freedom of Religion
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
  • Latest News
  • FAQS
  • Resources
    • Informative Guides
      • Online Offences Related to Civil Disorder FAQs
      • FAQs About Scotland’s Hate Crime Act
      • FAQs About What to do if You’re Contacted by Police Scotland About a Speech-Related Complaint
      • Freedom of Speech Online FAQs
      • Freedom of Expression on Campus FAQs
      • How to Make a Freedom of Information Request
      • Gender Pronouns in the Workplace
      • How to Remove Non Crime Hate Incident from your Police Record
      • Navigating Social Media and the Workplace
      • What to do if You’ve Been De-Banked
      • Anti-Racism and Unconscious Bias Training
      • The Governments Consultation on Reforming the Human Rights Act
    • Briefing Documents
    • Press Releases
    • Media
    • Letters
    • Teaching Materials
  • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Weekly News Podcast
    • Guest Interviews & Debates
  • Events
  • Campaigns
    • Labour’s War on Free Speech
    • Higher Education Act
    • Conversion Therapy Ban
    • Say No to Banter Bouncers
    • Time to Scrap Non-Crime Hate Incidents
  • Apply For a Grant
  • Shop
The Free Speech Union
Join Today

Why we should worry about Google’s stopping serving political advertising in EU

  • BY Frederick Attenborough
  • December 5, 2024
Why we should worry about Google’s stopping serving political advertising in EU

Google has announced its withdrawal from political advertising in the EU, starting in October 2025, which could further exacerbate the challenges faced by civil society or impede the formation of new political parties, which often depend on Big Tech platforms to reach their audience.

This decision slipped under the radar due to the US election and the EU’s struggle to form a new commission, but it could prove deeply consequential for people’s ability to access information online or engage in political discussion.

Writing for the EU Observer, the Civil Liberties Union For Europe’s Senior Advocacy Officer, Eva Simon, says that the withdrawal will be especially concerning for civil society organizations, as their activities often qualify as political, and most of their paid advertisements will fall under the new regulatory regime of Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA). She continues:

Google justifies its decision by pointing to the legal uncertainty introduced by the TTPA. In the announcement, Google’s vice president of government affairs and public policy for Europe, Anette Kroeber-Riel, highlights the overly broad definition of political advertising in the TTPA as one of the main reasons behind the move. 

Google’s decision is an imprudent reaction to a flawed regulation, even though we acknowledge that the TTPA’s definition of political advertising is indeed excessively broad.

In its announcement, Google criticizes the “lack of reliable local election data permitting consistent and accurate identification of” political ads, with the technical guidance expected to arrive only shortly before the rules come into effect. 

Civil society organizations have raised different concerns throughout the legislative process.

We warned European legislators about the dangers of over-regulation, which creates a potential threat to vibrant public discourse on critical political causes.

An overly-broad definition of political advertising poses a threat to freedom of expression and access to information, as it imposes restrictive rules on content that should not fall within the scope of political advertising. 

For example, campaigns supporting victims of domestic violence should not be regulated the same way as political candidates’ election campaigns. These campaigns differ tremendously in their societal roles, potential influence, the power they aim for and their financial backing.

Civil society should not be treated as competitors of political parties.

First, non-partisan initiatives, including  ‘get out and vote’ campaigns, will be prohibited on Google’s services, limiting voters’ access to essential election information. 

Second, civil society organizations’ campaigns on general issues, such as abortion or domestic violence, if connected to legislative acts, will no longer be permitted on Google’s services, most importantly on YouTube, in the EU.

This restriction will seriously hamper civil society’s ability to fulfil their role in democratic public discourse. Big Tech companies have already deranked political content and news items on their platforms. Changing their algorithm is concerning in itself, given the fact that some people get their information exclusively through these platforms.

Lastly, Google’s quitting the political advertising market essentially creates an imbalance in the sector, ceding a monopoly for Meta’s platforms and leaving political parties, civil society and other entities at the company’s mercy. 

Worth reading in full.

Previous Post

Pro-Brexit views are not protected philosophical beliefs, tribunal rules

Next Post

Gender-critical student suspended from university radio after posting interview with detransitioner

Join the Free Speech Union

One annual investment for complete peace of mind.

As a member, you’ll have access to an array of resources and support, ensuring you can speak your mind without fear of being cancelled. Our experienced team provides guidance, support and – at our discretion – assistance with legal action. We will defend your right to speak your mind, however unorthodox your views, provided you don’t say anything unlawful.

Join Today

Make a Donation

Listen to our weekly news podcast

Listen to Our Past Interviews & Debates

IN THE MEDIA

News Archive

Join Our Community

Become a Member
Make a Donation

© The Free Speech Union Limited

Quick Links

Member Login
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy
Legal
FAQs
Facebook Twitter-square Youtube

Organisation Address

The Free Speech Union
85 Great Portland Street

London W1W 7LT
+44 020 3920 7865

Get in Touch
Media Enquiries email

Welcome to the Free Speech Union


If you’re looking for information and guidance, or in need of immediate help, please click the button below:
GET IN TOUCH
  • Become a Member
  • Make a Donation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
      • Company Staff
      • Founders & Board
      • Advisory Council
      • Legal Advisory Council
      • Writer’s Advisory Council
      • Scottish Advisory Council
      • Northern Ireland Advisory Council
    • The Freedoms We Defend​
      • Freedom of Speech
      • Freedom of Expression
      • Academic Freedom
      • Freedom of the Press
      • Freedom of Religion
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
  • Latest News
  • FAQs
  • Resources
    • Informative Guides
      • Online Offences Related to Civil Disorder FAQs
      • FAQs About Scotland’s Hate Crime Act
      • FAQs About What to do if You’re Contacted by Police Scotland About a Speech-Related Complaint
      • Freedom of Speech Online FAQs
      • Freedom of Expression on Campus FAQs
      • How to Make a Freedom of Information Request
      • Gender Pronouns in the Workplace
      • How to Remove Non Crime Hate Incident from your Police Record
      • Navigating Social Media and the Workplace
      • What to do if You’ve Been De-Banked
      • Anti-Racism and Unconscious Bias Training
      • The Governments Consultation on Reforming the Human Rights Act
    • Briefing Documents
    • Press Releases
    • Media
    • Letters
    • Teaching Materials
  • Videos
  • Podcast
    • Weekly News Podcast
    • Guest Interviews & Debates
  • Events
  • Campaigns
    • Labour’s War on Free Speech
    • Higher Education Act
    • Conversion Therapy Ban
    • Say No to Banter Bouncers
    • Time to Scrap Non-Crime Hate Incidents
  • Apply For a Grant
  • Member Login
  • Shop