Meta has banned TikTok ads from its platforms in the US, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam, citing normal business practice. The ban extends to third-party advertisers running TikTok-linked campaigns in those regions. This follows TikTok’s earlier restrictions on Instagram and Facebook profile links and Meta ads.
Meta claims TikTok aims to pull users away from its apps, justifying the move as protective of its ecosystem. The action comes after Meta agreed to an $18 billion settlement with US states over child safety, which included implementing safety features on Facebook and Instagram. Legal analysts suggest this settlement may pressure competitors like TikTok and YouTube to adopt similar safeguards.
European regulators have also criticized TikTok for insufficient minor protections, threatening fines up to 6% of annual revenue. Meta has publicly urged rivals to match its safety standards via newspaper ads, while noting TikTok’s absence from US government meetings on screen time and child safety. TikTok, now backed by US and UAE investors including Oracle’s Larry Ellison, has remained largely silent on the matter.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing