Google has revealed it is banning all ads related to the referendum. It was announced on the Eighth Amendment from its platforms ahead of the vote on 25 May. The move came a day after Facebook banned foreign-backed ads in the Irish campaign. It is related to global concerns about online election meddling and the role of internet ads in swaying voters.
A spokesperson said in an emailed statement, “Following our update around election integrity efforts globally, we have decided to pause all ads related to the Irish referendum on the Eighth Amendment.”
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Irish people will vote on May 25 on whether to repeal the eighth amendment to the Irish constitution. It ensures the “right to life of the unborn,” making abortion illegal in the Republic. The role of online ads in elections is under scrutiny following revelations. The Russian groups bought ads on leading services such as Google and Facebook to try to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. Many of the ads were designed to sow confusion, anger, and discord among Americans through messages on hot-button topics.
While pro-choice campaigners were in support of the tech giants’ unprecedented move, anti-abortion groups were unhappy. In a joint statement by Save The 8th, Pro-Life Campaign and The Iona Institute, campaigners describe the ban as “an attempt to rig the referendum.” They claim that the internet was “the only platform available to the NO campaign to speak to voters directly,” adding that is “now being undermined.”