Social media giant Facebook allegedly focusing advertising on Australian users deemed susceptible to gambling offers.
In the realm of digital advertising, the University of Queensland recently conducted a study focusing on Facebook's practices, raising questions about its policies and reactions. The study, funded by VicHealth and the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), revealed that Facebook targeted vulnerable Australian users with gambling and alcohol ads.
The study's app allowed participants to capture and share data on targeted ads, shedding light on the extent of personalised marketing on social media platforms. This revelation comes as Australia is tightening privacy laws and increasing oversight of personal data use, with the Privacy Act reforms implemented in 2024 and ongoing updates aiming to modernize data privacy laws.
While Australia is not yet imposing direct data privacy prohibitions on Facebook's handling of user data for gambling and alcohol ads, these categories are typically regulated under separate advertising standards and responsible advertising codes. The online safety framework enforces age restrictions on social media accounts, indirectly influencing exposure to such ads.
Facebook, however, faces evolving regulations and public concerns regarding its handling of user data for targeted advertising. The company, which recently rebranded as Meta, has publicly emphasized to Australian regulators that AI systems, including ad targeting, depend on real user data to function effectively. This stance faces scrutiny under the stricter Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024.
The Australian Government is actively addressing broader privacy issues, including commercial use of personal data for profit, an area relevant to Facebook's data-driven advertising model. Increased liability mechanisms, anti-doxxing provisions, and a new Children's Privacy Code are part of this reform package.
Meanwhile, the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) Code and the oversight of eSafety and the ACMA provide guidelines for advertising standards for gambling and alcohol on Facebook in Australia. Other social media companies are also subject to similar regulations and public scrutiny.
The study's findings come at a time when the Australian government is working towards reforming gambling and betting advertising. The government, under pressure from various stakeholders, including Martin Thomas, CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform (AGR), and Caterina Giorgi, CEO of FARE, has been urged to prioritize health and well-being over corporate interests.
As the landscape of digital advertising continues to evolve, it is crucial for platforms like Facebook to respect local laws and regulations, such as the ban on direct ads for gambling and alcohol in India. The poker and real-money gaming industries, which are closely monitored by our website, are also impacted by these changes.
In the evolving digital landscape, Roy D'Silva, a published author with a decade of experience covering various beats, including Bollywood, OTT, and poker, remains at the forefront of significant stories in the poker world. The website offers updates related to real-time gaming and the poker industry, as well as updates from the poker world and the potential of Karnataka becoming the gaming capital of Asia.
Stay tuned for more updates as the story unfolds.
[1] Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. (2023). Privacy Act reforms.
[2] Australian Communications and Media Authority. (2023). Online safety framework.
[3] Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. (2024). Privacy Act 1988.
[4] Australian Government Parliamentary Library. (2024). Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024.
- The study's revelation about Facebook targeting vulnerable Australian users with gambling ads has sparked discussions about the intersection of technology and gambling in entertainment, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and oversight in targeted advertising on social media platforms.
- As the Australian government works towards reforming gambling and betting advertising, there is growing pressure to prioritize health and well-being over corporate interests, especially in the area of technology-driven casino-and-gambling entertainment, a issue that affects platforms like Facebook and other social media companies.
