Internet giant Google announced on Wednesday, Dec. 1, that it will not accept election advertisements in the Philippines during election campaign and silence periods, including from February 8, 2022 to May 9, 2022.
“This policy will apply to election advertisements that are purchased through Google Ads, Display and Video 360, and Shopping platforms that advertisers intend to place on Google, YouTube, and partner properties. This includes advertisements that promote or oppose any political party or the candidacy of any person or party for public office,” the company said in a statement.
The move is expected to significantly affect the dynamics of the upcoming polls as the online space has become an intense battleground for political candidates in the country’s previous elections. Pundits have partly attributed the stunning victory of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 to the vigorous campaign waged in cyberspace by his supporters.
Google said it is focusing its efforts and resources on upcoming election-related initiatives which aim to help people access useful and accurate information via product features and media literacy programs, encourage participation in the voting process, and help protect the integrity of the elections.
“Google’s work towards supporting the elections has already started earlier this year beginning with #MagpaRehistroKa of COMELEC, MullenLowe TREYNA, and Dashboard Philippines,” the US tech firm said, adding that it is supporting the voter registration campaign by hosting the website on Google Cloud and promoting it on its social media pages.
In 2021, Google said it also launched #YOUTHink magazine both in English and in Cebuano in partnership with CANVAS as part of its commitment to helping fight misinformation through media and information literacy.
