Tech Advertising Group Urges More Online Political Ad Disclosure

An advertising industry group representing the largest technology companies in the U.S. is urging marketers to disclose more information about who’s paying for online political ads. The Digital Advertising Alliance on Tuesday released a set of principles for its members to adhere to, including displaying a special icon to identify a political ad, along with links to the political advertiser’s name, contact information and a government database with contribution or expenditure records. While the guidance doesn’t have the force of law behind it, the alliance said it would encourage compliance through the Council of Better Business Bureaus and the Data & Marketing Association, who may publicly shame uncooperative advertisers or report any applicable offenses to the relevant regulators.