The Impact of EU Regulation on Political Campaigns

In this episode, Katie talks with Clare O’Donoghue Velikić about the shifting landscape of political advertising in Europe—and what’s driving those changes. They trace how Brexit, the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and rising public scrutiny of tech platforms set the stage for today’s regulatory environment. Clare breaks down the stark differences between U.S. and European campaign practices, the ripple effects of GDPR and data rules, and how policymakers are thinking about political communication in a post-scandal world. They also unpack Meta’s recent decision to ban political ads in the EU, exploring why it matters, who it affects, and what transparency risks emerge when legitimate political messaging is pushed out of public view. The conversation offers a grounded look at the future of digital campaigning in Europe—and the tradeoffs ahead as platforms, regulators, and political actors navigate a rapidly changing system.Takeaways* Regulation intended to increase transparency can lead to less transparency.* Europe’s political advertising landscape is significantly different from the US.* Data protection laws in Europe limit campaign strategies.* The early days of Facebook were marked by excitement and innovation.* The Cambridge Analytica scandal raised serious concerns about data use in politics.* Building political ad transparency tools was a complex process.* The current political ad ban in Europe poses risks to democratic discourse.* Extremist content may thrive in the absence of regulated political ads.* Finding a compromise between tech companies and regulators is crucial.* The removal of political ads silences moderate voices in social media.Chapters* 00:00 Introduction to Political Advertising in Europe* 03:38 Differences Between US and European Political Campaigning* 06:12 The Early Days of Facebook and Political Campaigning* 08:56 The Impact of Cambridge Analytica and Foreign Interference* 11:14 Building Political Ad Transparency Tools* 13:59 Challenges in Regulating Political Advertising* 16:49 Personal Experiences in Political Campaigning* 19:02 The Role of Data and Privacy in Political Advertising* 25:43 Political Ad Authorization and Campaign Dynamics* 29:29 Challenges of Political Advertising in Europe* 33:08 Meta’s Political Ad Transparency Initiatives* 39:05 Impact of New Regulations on Political Advertising* 44:12 The Future of Political Advertising and Social Media* 48:53 The Role of Moderation in Social Discourse* 52:15 The Evolution of Political Advertising on Facebook* 52:44 Challenges of Transparency in Online AdsAnchor Change with Katie Harbath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe