Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Cat Smith and Justin Madders

Thursday 16th November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab)]

4. What recent discussions the Committee has had with the Electoral Commission on the regulation of online political advertising before an election.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood)]

The Committee has not had recent discussions with the Electoral Commission on the matters raised. The Elections Act 2022 introduced a requirement for most online political campaign material to carry a digital imprint. The Commission has said that digital imprints will improve trust and confidence in digital campaigns at future elections and referendums in the UK. It has published statutory guidance to help parties and campaigners understand and comply with this new requirement.

[Justin Madders]

Targeted online advertising can sometimes contain very misleading claims about Members and other politicians. Members might not even be aware that an advert has been sent out. Will the Commission look at some sort of process whereby there is a way for all adverts to be registered, so that people can check their transparency and veracity?

[Cat Smith]

The Commission has previously recommended that social media libraries should be a legal requirement. That would provide voters with more information about who is being targeted online, but it would be for the Government to come forward with the legislation.