Twitter Expands Rules for Issue Ads on Abortion, Civil Rights

Twitter Inc. will require that advertisers advocating for public policy issues verify their identity and location, in an effort to increase transparency and prevent foreign meddling on its service ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.

The new policy will affect “legislative issues of national importance,” including abortion, civil rights and immigration, Twitter said Thursday in a blog post. Advertisers on those topics must apply for certification and their purchases will be labeled as “issue” ads in Twitter users’ timelines, similar to the rules announced in May for ads from political candidates. The company said those on the social-media platform will be able to see what organization is promoting the ads and access more information.