In this episode, Katie talks with Clare O’Donoghue Velikić about the shifting landscape of political advertising in Europe—and what’s driving those changes. They trace how Brexit, the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and rising public scrutiny of tech platforms set the stage for today’s regulatory environment. Clare breaks down the stark differences between U.S. and European campaign practices, the ripple effects of GDPR and data rules, and how policymakers are thinking about political communication in a post-scandal world. They also unpack Meta’s recent decision to ban political ads in the EU, exploring why it matters, who it affects, and what transparency risks emerge when legitimate political messaging is pushed out of public view. The conversation offers a grounded look at the future of digital campaigning in Europe—and the tradeoffs ahead as platforms, regulators, and political actors navigate a rapidly changing system.
Takeaways
Regulation intended to increase transparency can lead to less transparency.
Europe’s political advertising landscape is significantly different from the US.
Data protection laws in Europe limit campaign strategies.
The early days of Facebook were marked by excitement and innovation.
The Cambridge Analytica scandal raised serious concerns about data use in politics.
Building political ad transparency tools was a complex process.
The current political ad ban in Europe poses risks to democratic discourse.
Extremist content may thrive in the absence of regulated political ads.
Finding a compromise between tech companies and regulators is crucial.
The removal of political ads silences moderate voices in social media.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Political Advertising in Europe
03:38 Differences Between US and European Political Campaigning
06:12 The Early Days of Facebook and Political Campaigning
08:56 The Impact of Cambridge Analytica and Foreign Interference
11:14 Building Political Ad Transparency Tools
13:59 Challenges in Regulating Political Advertising
16:49 Personal Experiences in Political Campaigning
19:02 The Role of Data and Privacy in Political Advertising
25:43 Political Ad Authorization and Campaign Dynamics
29:29 Challenges of Political Advertising in Europe
33:08 Meta’s Political Ad Transparency Initiatives
39:05 Impact of New Regulations on Political Advertising
44:12 The Future of Political Advertising and Social Media
48:53 The Role of Moderation in Social Discourse
52:15 The Evolution of Political Advertising on Facebook
52:44 Challenges of Transparency in Online Ads
