Meta will stop advertisers from using personal data gathered from other apps and websites to target ads at Facebook, Instagram and Messenger users under 18. This change will begin in February.
Firms will no longer be able to use gender as a way of targeting advertising at young people on the platforms, the company said in a blog post. In March, the company will expand ad topic controls to allow teenagers to choose to see fewer ads about certain topics.
Meta’s new policy
Meta’s new policy will restrict advertisers’ ability to use demographic data to target ads for teenagers. The company said that these changes would ensure that teens see ads “that are meant for their age and products and services available where they live”.
The new restrictions will come into effect on February 2023. They will apply to all users globally. Advertisers will only be able to target Instagram and Facebook accounts based on their age and location, and will no longer be able to use the data of people who have switched to business accounts.
This includes increasing requirements for privacy reviews, third-party monitoring, data inventory and access controls and employee training.
Facebook’s new policy
It is accused of lying to parents about their ability to control with whom their children communicate through its Messenger Kids app and misrepresenting the access that it gave some third-party apps to private user data.
Starting in February, advertisers will not be able to use personalised ads to target under-18s on Meta’s platforms based on their gender.
Advertisers’ access to teenagers’ data
The parent company of Facebook and Instagram has announced that it is tightening restrictions around the data that firms can use to target advertising at teenagers.
This new expanded Ad Topic Controls feature will let them hide ads about certain topics, including alcohol, financial products and weight loss programs.
Teenagers’ new control over ads
These changes are in response to growing concerns about social media addiction and the effect of ads on teen self-image. The changes are part of a wider push for more regulation in the digital economy. needs read more hear
