The Green Party has called for online advertising transparency from Irish political parties, as the controversy around Cambridge Analytica continues. Revealing their total Facebook advertising spend for 2017, the Greens called on other parties to follow suit, and voluntarily publish their targeted online ad spends.
The Green Party disclosed a total online Facebook ad spend for 2017 of €5,186.09, consisting of both the main party spending and spending by the party’s Oireachtas members.
The Green Party disclosed a total online Facebook ad spend for 2017 of €5,186.09, consisting of both the main party spending and spending by the party’s Oireachtas members.
Speaking today, Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan TD said: “What we’re doing today is highlighting the need for greater transparency around online advertising, and greater regulation in the area. At present, all political parties are required to submit their annual accounts to SIPO. However, detailed breakdowns of expenditure are not required. It is virtually impossible to ascertain how much is being spent on targeted advertising.
“We’re calling for other parties to voluntarily disclose their online advertising spending. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with this practice, and there is no suggestion that any Irish political party were engaging in any of the dodgy dealings Cambridge Analytica were. However, Irish political parties are funded by the taxpayer, and transparency is key. Voluntarily disclosing these amounts would send an important message.
“It is vitally important that transparency is central to the upcoming referendum around the 8th amendment. People should know who is targeting them with advertising, and where that money is coming from. The Government must get its act together on data protection and on regulating online advertising. In the meantime, we’re calling on all other political parties to disclose how much money they spend on targeted online advertising in 2017.”
“We’re calling for other parties to voluntarily disclose their online advertising spending. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with this practice, and there is no suggestion that any Irish political party were engaging in any of the dodgy dealings Cambridge Analytica were. However, Irish political parties are funded by the taxpayer, and transparency is key. Voluntarily disclosing these amounts would send an important message.
“It is vitally important that transparency is central to the upcoming referendum around the 8th amendment. People should know who is targeting them with advertising, and where that money is coming from. The Government must get its act together on data protection and on regulating online advertising. In the meantime, we’re calling on all other political parties to disclose how much money they spend on targeted online advertising in 2017.”
