AP Publishes Updated Guidance on Targeted Online Political Advertising

The Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens - AP) has released an updated guideline on targeted online political advertising, incorporating feedback from a recent public consultation. This revision signals a continued effort by European regulators to bring greater transparency and control to how political messaging is delivered and targeted online, directly addressing concerns around data privacy and electoral integrity. The updated guidance aims to clarify obligations for those involved in political campaigning, particularly concerning the use of personal data for microtargeting. The core of the updated guideline focuses on the legal basis required for processing personal data for political advertising and the associated transparency obligations. It elaborates on how Article 6 of the GDPR applies to this specific context, emphasizing the need for explicit consent or other lawful grounds when data is used to profile individuals for political campaigns. The AP's updated document provides practical examples and interpretations to help political actors understand and comply with these complex data protection requirements. This development has significant implications for political parties, campaign managers, and digital advertising platforms operating within the EU. It underscores the growing regulatory scrutiny on the digital advertising ecosystem, pushing for greater accountability in how personal data fuels political discourse. The increased clarity from the AP is expected to influence practices across member states, potentially leading to a more privacy-conscious approach to online political advertising throughout Europe and reinforcing the EU's commitment to digital sovereignty.