Facebook has banned foreign-funded election advertisements in Indonesia, effective Monday, as part of efforts to prevent electoral interference. The move comes amid global scrutiny of tech platforms for enabling foreign influence in democratic processes, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the 2014 Indonesian presidential vote.
The social media giant, which also operates Instagram and WhatsApp, stated that ads from overseas entities referencing political figures or parties would be restricted. This policy applies to any advertisement attempting to influence voting behavior, regardless of its content. The company previously imposed similar measures for Nigeria’s February elections and Ukraine’s upcoming polls.
Indonesia’s April 17 elections will see incumbent President Joko Widodo face off against former General Prabowo Subianto, who lost to Widodo in 2014. Facebook’s policy requires foreign advertisers to comply with local regulations, with additional transparency tools planned for European Parliament and Indian elections.
The decision aligns with broader industry efforts to address concerns about data misuse and political advertising. Critics have long alleged that foreign actors exploited social media to sway public opinion, a claim Facebook has consistently denied.
