Lifting the Ban: Political Ads Finally Permitted after a Two-Year Hiatus

X, the rebranded version of the popular social media platform Twitter, has made an announcement that may reshape the political landscape heading into the 2024 election cycle. For the first time since 2019, X will allow political advertisements on its platform. This decision comes after billionaire Elon Musk acquired Twitter for a staggering $44 billion in October of last year. With a renewed focus and a new name, X aims to make its mark in the political arena.

Despite the reinstatement of paid political ads, X is committed to combating the dissemination of false information. The platform will carefully enforce policies that prohibit the promotion of misleading content, particularly information intended to undermine public trust in elections. However, X is also dedicated to upholding the principles of free and open political discourse.

To bolster this commitment, X will be expanding its safety and elections teams. These teams will work diligently to combat the spread of manipulated media and inauthentic accounts, ensuring a more secure and reliable platform for users. By taking these steps, X hopes to address the concerns raised by civil society groups regarding content moderation decisions made by Musk.

This change in policy marks a significant departure from the decision made under former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in 2019. Back then, Twitter opted to cease accepting political ads amidst a heated controversy involving Facebook. The rival social media platform had refused to remove an ad from then-President Trump’s campaign, which targeted now-President Biden. By reintroducing political ads, X has the opportunity to once again become a vital source for politicians as they navigate the upcoming 2024 presidential race.