Core Viewpoint - Meta will cease selling and displaying political ads in the EU starting in October due to the complexities and legal uncertainties introduced by the new EU regulation on political advertising [1][4]. Regulatory Requirements - The Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) law mandates clear labeling of political ads, disclosure of sponsors, election or referendum details, ad costs, and targeting mechanisms [2]. - Data used for political ads must be consented to by individuals, and certain personal data types, such as racial or ethnic origin and political opinions, are prohibited from being used for profiling [3]. Company Response - Meta described the TTPA's requirements as "unworkable," stating that compliance would either necessitate significant changes to their services or lead to the discontinuation of political ads altogether [2][4]. - Google has also announced plans to stop selling political ads in the EU, echoing Meta's concerns about operational challenges and legal uncertainties posed by the new law [5]. Industry Context - The situation reflects ongoing tensions between the EU and major tech companies as the bloc seeks to regulate their influence and operations, including issues related to AI, competition, and ad-tracking [6].