X (Formerly Twitter) to Allow Political Advertising in the US
X, the social media company formerly known as Twitter, has announced that it will now permit political advertising in the United States from candidates and political parties. This decision marks a significant shift since X had previously banned all political ads globally since 2019. After Elon Musk’s acquisition of the company in October, Twitter lifted the ban in January and began allowing “cause-based ads” in the US that focused on raising awareness about issues such as voter registration.
By allowing political advertising on the platform, X aims to boost its revenue as advertisers have been cautious about their brand’s association with inappropriate content. The decision aligns with X’s plan to expand the types of political ads permitted on its platform and could help attract political campaigns and parties looking to reach a wider audience.
In response to concerns about content manipulation and emerging threats, X has committed to expanding its safety and elections team. The company plans to establish a global advertising transparency center, enabling users to view promoted political ads on the platform. However, X also reiterated that it will continue to prohibit political ads that spread false information or undermine public confidence in elections.
The move comes as social media platforms face ongoing scrutiny for their role in the dissemination of misleading or false content during major elections. X’s decision to allow political advertising, combined with its efforts to enhance transparency and safety, reflects the evolving landscape of online political discourse and the challenges platforms face in ensuring accurate and trustworthy information reaches users.
