Are Your Ads Funding Disinformation?

The article focuses on how digital advertising, particularly programmatic ad buying, can inadvertently fund disinformation by placing ads on harmful or extremist websites without advertisers’ knowledge. Due to the complexity and opacity of the digital ad supply chain—including demand-side platforms, supply-side platforms, and ad networks—brands often lack access to detailed data about where their ads appear, increasing reputational risks and supporting disinformation financially. Industry efforts like the Global Alliance of Responsible Media (GARM) aim to improve brand safety, but advertisers must proactively demand granular ad placement data, audit their campaigns, and hold vendors accountable to prevent their budgets from supporting harmful content. Taking control of ad data not only protects brand reputation but also addresses broader societal impacts linked to the disinformation economy.