User-Generated Content
BR
0
Not Available
EU
0
Not Available
UK
0
Not Available
Advertising
BR
55
Deficient
EU
70
Limited
UK
82
Meaningful
22 Threads
Threads’ UGC data transparency is assessed through the Meta Content Library as a single global resource applied across Brazil, the EU, and the UK, while advertising transparency draws on the Meta Ad Library, with region-specific access regimes. The Meta Content Library provides access to data from Threads and other Meta platforms under very strict conditions. However, Threads data is not accessible through the Meta Content Library API, and although content is visible in the Meta Content Library User Interface, it cannot be downloaded, placing the platform in the Not Available band for UGC transparency. Advertising transparency varies by region: the Meta Ad Library in the EU and the UK systematically covers all ad types served over the past year, though the UK version differs from the EU in that its GUI enables structured data extraction for ads labeled as political and “social issue” ads, which are banned in the EU. In Brazil, the tool is largely limited to ads labeled as political and “social issue” ads, as other ads can only be viewed while actively running and cannot be systematically extracted. Across all regions, the library provides free access, unique advertiser identifiers, and ad delivery periods, but lacks engagement metrics, granular spending data, complete targeting criteria, and specific rate-limit documentation, with the availability of such information varying by ad type.
22.1 Transparency Assessment
22.2 User-Generated Content
Coverage: BR, EU, UK
22.2.1 Special Criteria
22.2.1.1 UGC_SC1: Does the platform provide an API that enables the structured extraction of public user-generated content data for independent analysis?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | Although Meta provides the Meta Content Library API, Threads data can only be accessed and analyzed within a secure, controlled virtual environment. Beyond aggregated outputs, no data may be exported from this environment without violating Meta's research program terms of use. These restrictions significantly limit transparency and reproducibility, as they prevent researchers from independently verifying results, collaborating across institutions, or applying analytical models that have not been previously approved by Meta. As a result, they run counter to core open science principles and fall short of what our analytical framework considers a minimal requirement for platform transparency and data access. |
| EU | ❌ No | Although Meta provides the Meta Content Library API, Threads data can only be accessed and analyzed within a secure, controlled virtual environment. Beyond aggregated outputs, no data may be exported from this environment without violating Meta's research program terms of use. These restrictions significantly limit transparency and reproducibility, as they prevent researchers from independently verifying results, collaborating across institutions, or applying analytical models that have not been previously approved by Meta. As a result, they run counter to core open science principles and fall short of what our analytical framework considers a minimal requirement for platform transparency and data access. |
| UK | ❌ No | Although Meta provides the Meta Content Library API, Threads data can only be accessed and analyzed within a secure, controlled virtual environment. Beyond aggregated outputs, no data may be exported from this environment without violating Meta's research program terms of use. These restrictions significantly limit transparency and reproducibility, as they prevent researchers from independently verifying results, collaborating across institutions, or applying analytical models that have not been previously approved by Meta. As a result, they run counter to core open science principles and fall short of what our analytical framework considers a minimal requirement for platform transparency and data access. |
22.2.1.2 UGC_SC2: Can the full scope of public content data be extracted through the platform’s API?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | Even if the Meta Content Library API falls short of our minimal standard for transparency and data access, it is worth noting that the public content available for analysis is limited to a subset of pages that either meet a minimum follower threshold or are otherwise verified by the platform. |
| EU | ❌ No | Even if the Meta Content Library API falls short of our minimal standard for transparency and data access, it is worth noting that the public content available for analysis is limited to a subset of pages that either meet a minimum follower threshold or are otherwise verified by the platform. |
| UK | ❌ No | Even if the Meta Content Library API falls short of our minimal standard for transparency and data access, it is worth noting that the public content available for analysis is limited to a subset of pages that either meet a minimum follower threshold or are otherwise verified by the platform. |
22.2.1.3 UGC_SC3: Is access to the platform’s API free of charge?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | Because it does not allow structured data extraction to users' own infrastructure, the Meta Content Library API falls short of what we consider a minimal standard for transparency and data access, and thus cannot be properly assessed or even tested for this work's purposes. Access to it through Meta's Secure Research Environment (SRE), however, is free of charge. On the other hand, access through SOMAR's Virtual Data Enclave has been subject to fees since January 2026. |
| EU | ❌ No | Because it does not allow structured data extraction to users' own infrastructure, the Meta Content Library API falls short of what we consider a minimal standard for transparency and data access, and thus cannot be properly assessed or even tested for this work's purposes. Access to it through Meta's Secure Research Environment (SRE), however, is free of charge. On the other hand, access through SOMAR's Virtual Data Enclave has been subject to fees since January 2026. |
| UK | ❌ No | Because it does not allow structured data extraction to users' own infrastructure, the Meta Content Library API falls short of what we consider a minimal standard for transparency and data access, and thus cannot be properly assessed or even tested for this work's purposes. Access to it through Meta's Secure Research Environment (SRE), however, is free of charge. On the other hand, access through SOMAR's Virtual Data Enclave has been subject to fees since January 2026. |
22.2.1.4 UGC_SC4: Does the platform offer a graphical interface for extracting data?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | Even though the Meta Content Library User Interface allows users to query public Threads user-generated content, specifically posts shared by public profiles with 100 or more followers, it does not enable structured data extraction for Threads in the same way it does for Facebook and Instagram. |
| EU | ❌ No | Even though the Meta Content Library User Interface allows users to query public Threads user-generated content, specifically posts shared by public profiles with 100 or more followers, it does not enable structured data extraction for Threads in the same way it does for Facebook and Instagram. |
| UK | ❌ No | Even though the Meta Content Library User Interface allows users to query public Threads user-generated content, specifically posts shared by public profiles with 100 or more followers, it does not enable structured data extraction for Threads in the same way it does for Facebook and Instagram. |
22.2.2 Accessibility
22.2.2.1 UGC_OC1: Can the requested data be extracted directly from the platform’s API response?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.2.2 UGC_OC2: Does the platform’s API support renewable authentication mechanisms without risk of data loss?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.2.3 UGC_OC3: Does the platform’s API offer an endpoint for extracting data from an individual publication?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.2.5 UGC_OC5: Does the platform’s API provide an endpoint for extracting data based on search terms?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.2.6 UGC_OC6: Does the API use locale-neutral data representations?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.3 Compliance
22.2.3.1 UGC_OC7: Does the platform implement a proper deprecation strategy to avoid breaking client applications while rolling out major changes in the API?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.3.2 UGC_OC8: Is the platform’s API documentation published in open access?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.3.3 UGC_OC9: Is the platform’s API documentation clearly written and exemplified?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.3.4 UGC_OC10: Does the platform’s documentation include or link to the API or data access terms of use?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.3.5 UGC_OC11: Does the platform’s API documentation detail the response format of each endpoint?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.3.6 UGC_OC12: Does the platform provide its API documentation in the official languages of the assessed region?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.3.7 UGC_OC13: Does the platform’s API documentation detail the quota or rate limits applicable to each available endpoint?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.3.8 UGC_OC14: Does the platform provide a way to label content that has been generated with artificial intelligence?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.4 Completeness
22.2.4.1 UGC_OC15: Can data from a publication’s comments be extracted using the platform’s API?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.4.2 UGC_OC16: Can data from temporary content be extracted through the platform’s API?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.4.3 UGC_OC17: Can historical data be extracted through the platform’s API?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.4.4 UGC_OC18: Is the number of requests allowed by the API sufficient for monitoring more than 10,000 publications in 24 hours?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.5 Consistency
22.2.5.1 UGC_OC19: Are the results returned by the API consistently reproducible?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.5.2 UGC_OC20: Is the data returned by the platform’s API consistent with the parameters and filters used in the request?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.6 Relevance
22.2.6.1 UGC_OC21: Does the data extracted by the platform’s API reflect what is displayed on its user interface?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.6.3 UGC_OC23: Does the platform’s API allow for filtering data based on content language?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.6.4 UGC_OC24: Does the platform’s API allow for filtering data by specific time periods?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.2.7 Timeliness
22.2.7.1 UGC_OC25: Can data from newly published content be extracted from the platform’s API in near real time?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | - |
| EU | ❌ No | - |
| UK | ❌ No | - |
22.3 Advertising
Coverage: BR, EU, UK
22.3.1 Special Criteria
22.3.1.1 AD_SC1: Does the platform provide an API to access its ad repository and extract data on advertising content for independent analysis?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, with partial availability | The Meta Ad Library API permits the retrieval of data on ads labeled and classified as political or issue ads served in Brazil through Meta’s platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, WhatsApp, and Audience Network—which are stored and remain accessible for up to seven years. Other ads that are not categorized as such can also be accessed through the API, but only if they were delivered to users in the European Union or the United Kingdom. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, with full availability | The Meta Ad Library API allows the retrieval of data on “ads of any type” that were delivered over the past year to users in the European Union through Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, WhatsApp, and Audience Network. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, with full availability | The Meta Ad Library API allows the retrieval of data on “ads of any type” that were delivered over the past year to users in the United Kingdom through Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, WhatsApp, and Audience Network. |
22.3.1.2 AD_SC2: Does the platform provide a graphical user interface to its ad repository for extracting advertising content data?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, with partial availability | The Meta Ad Library GUI likewise permits structured data extraction only for ads labeled and classified as political or issue ads in Brazil. Other ads may be visible to users while they are actively being served on the platform, but their data cannot be extracted in a structured format. |
| EU | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library GUI does not allow structured data extraction for ads served to users in the European Union, even though such ads may be visible to users while they are actively being delivered on the platform. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, with partial availability | The Meta Ad Library GUI permits structured data extraction only for ads labeled and classified as political or issue ads in the United Kingdom. Other ads may be visible to users while they are actively being served on the platform, but their data cannot be extracted in a structured format. |
22.3.1.3 AD_SC3: Can data from both active and inactive ads be extracted?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, with partial availability | Structured data can be extracted only for ads that are labeled and classified as political or issue ads in Brazil, including both active and inactive. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, with full availability | The Meta Ad Library API enables the retrieval of both active and inactive ads that were served to users in the European Union over the past year. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, with full availability | The Meta Ad Library API enables the retrieval of both active and inactive ads that were served to users in the United Kingdom over the past year. |
22.3.2 Accessibility
22.3.2.1 AD_OC1: Does the platform provide a GUI for accessing and visualizing its ad repository?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, with partial availability | The Meta Ad Library GUI allows users to view and extract data on ads labeled and classified as political or issue ads in Brazil for up to seven years, whereas other ads can be viewed only while they are actively being served to users on the company’s platforms. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, with full availability | The Meta Ad Library GUI allows users to view data on all ads that were served to users in the European Union over the past year. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, with full availability | The Meta Ad Library GUI allows users to view data on all ads that were served to users in the United Kingdom over the past year. |
22.3.2.2 AD_OC2: Is access to the platform’s ad repository free of charge?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Free API and GUI access | Access to the Meta Ad Library, both through its API and GUI, is free of charge. |
| EU | ✅ Free API and GUI access | Access to the Meta Ad Library, both through its API and GUI, is free of charge. |
| UK | ✅ Free API and GUI access | Access to the Meta Ad Library, both through its API and GUI, is free of charge. |
22.3.2.3 AD_OC3: Can the requested data be extracted directly from the ad repository response?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | It is possible to extract structured data on both ad creatives and authorship through the Meta Ad Library API and GUI. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through the API | It is possible to extract structured data on both ad creatives and authorship through the Meta Ad Library API in the European Union. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | It is possible to extract structured data on both ad creatives and authorship through the Meta Ad Library API and GUI in the United Kingdom. |
22.3.2.4 AD_OC4: Does the platform’s ad repository API provide a form of authentication that allows for renewal without the risk of data loss?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes | The Meta Ad Library API provides a form of authentication that allows for renewal without the risk of data loss. |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The Meta Ad Library API provides a form of authentication that allows for renewal without the risk of data loss. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The Meta Ad Library API provides a form of authentication that allows for renewal without the risk of data loss. |
22.3.2.5 AD_OC5: Can data from an individual ad be retrieved from the platform?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through the GUI | The Meta Ad Library allows users to retrieve specific ads by their ID through the GUI, but this functionality is not available through the API. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through the GUI | The Meta Ad Library allows users to retrieve specific ads by their ID through the GUI, but this functionality is not available through the API. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through the GUI | The Meta Ad Library allows users to retrieve specific ads by their ID through the GUI, but this functionality is not available through the API. |
22.3.2.6 AD_OC6: Can data from ads served by a specific advertiser be retrieved from the platform?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library enables the retrieval of specific advertisers by their unique ID through both the GUI and the API. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library enables the retrieval of specific advertisers by their unique ID through both the GUI and the API. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library enables the retrieval of specific advertisers by their unique ID through both the GUI and the API. |
22.3.2.7 AD_OC7: Can ad data be retrieved from the platform using search terms?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | It is possible to use keywords to perform searches through both the Meta Ad Library GUI and API. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | It is possible to use keywords to perform searches through both the Meta Ad Library GUI and API. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | It is possible to use keywords to perform searches through both the Meta Ad Library GUI and API. |
22.3.2.8 AD_OC8: Does the platform use locale-neutral data representations?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | Timestamps for ads labeled and classified as political or issue ads are returned in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) using the ISO 8601 standard. They are not automatically localized, and no locale information (such as language or region) is attached unless explicitly requested or inferred. Monetary values may appear in multiple currencies, but these are always expressed using standard ISO currency codes rather than localized formats. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | Timestamps are returned in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) using the ISO 8601 standard. They are not automatically localized, and no locale information (such as language or region) is attached unless explicitly requested or inferred. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | Timestamps are returned in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) using the ISO 8601 standard. They are not automatically localized, and no locale information (such as language or region) is attached unless explicitly requested or inferred. For ads labeled and classified as political or issue ads, monetary values may appear in multiple currencies, but these are always expressed using standard ISO currency codes rather than localized formats. |
22.3.3 Completeness
22.3.3.1 AD_OC9: Does the platform provide data that allows the identification of advertisers who ran ads?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library consistently provides a unique identifier for all advertisers. However, when an advertiser does not have a Facebook page, the tool populates the page name field with the advertiser’s Instagram user ID and assigns the value “0” to the page ID field. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library consistently provides a unique identifier for all advertisers. However, when an advertiser does not have a Facebook page, the tool populates the page name field with the advertiser’s Instagram user ID and assigns the value “0” to the page ID field. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library consistently provides a unique identifier for all advertisers. However, when an advertiser does not have a Facebook page, the tool populates the page name field with the advertiser’s Instagram user ID and assigns the value “0” to the page ID field. |
22.3.3.2 AD_OC10: Does the platform provide data on the funders who paid for ads?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | For ads labeled and classified as political or issue ads, the Meta Ad Library provides a disclosure text supplied by the advertiser indicating the funder’s declared name. However, for ads that were not originally labeled by advertisers and were subsequently reclassified by Meta, this information is not available. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library consistently discloses each ad’s beneficiary and payer through both its GUI and API. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | For ads labeled and classified as political or issue ads, the Meta Ad Library provides a disclosure text supplied by the advertiser indicating the funder’s declared name. However, for ads that were not originally labeled by advertisers and were subsequently reclassified by Meta, this information is not available. |
22.3.3.3 AD_OC11: Does the platform provide data on the period during which ads were served?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | For ads labeled and classified as political or issue ads, the Meta Ad Library provides the period during which they were served. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library provides the period during which all ads were served to users in the European Union. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library provides the period during which all ads were served to users in the United Kingdom. |
22.3.3.4 AD_OC12: Does the platform provide data on user engagement with ads?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library does not provide any data on user engagement with ads. |
| EU | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library does not provide any data on user engagement with ads. |
| UK | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library does not provide any data on user engagement with ads. |
22.3.3.5 AD_OC13: Does the platform indicate whether ads were placed by verified or unverified advertisers?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through the GUI | The Meta Ad Library API response schema does not indicate whether an advertiser has been verified by Meta, unlike the GUI, which explicitly displays this information. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through the GUI | The Meta Ad Library API response schema does not indicate whether an advertiser has been verified by Meta, unlike the GUI, which explicitly displays this information. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through the GUI | The Meta Ad Library API response schema does not indicate whether an advertiser has been verified by Meta, unlike the GUI, which explicitly displays this information. |
22.3.4 Compliance
22.3.4.1 AD_OC14: Does the platform flag ads that were removed due to violations of its guidelines or relevant legislation?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | Through the API, the Meta Ad Library indicates when an ad labeled and classified as political or issue ad has been removed—provided that the appropriate parameters are set—while disclosing both the reason for removal and the ad’s final date of airing. The GUI likewise presents the reasons for an ad’s removal and its final airing date, and additionally allows users to view the ad content itself when it was removed for violating the company’s Advertising Standards or labeling guidelines. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | Through the API, the Meta Ad Library indicates when an ad has been removed—provided that the appropriate parameters are set—while disclosing both the reason for removal and the ad’s final date of airing. The GUI likewise presents the reasons for an ad’s removal and its final airing date, and additionally allows users to view the ad content itself when it was removed for violating the company’s Advertising Standards. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | Through the API, the Meta Ad Library indicates when an ad has been removed—provided that the appropriate parameters are set—while disclosing both the reason for removal and the ad’s final date of airing. The GUI likewise presents the reasons for an ad’s removal and its final airing date, and additionally allows users to view the ad content itself when it was removed for violating the company’s Advertising Standards or labeling guidelines. |
22.3.4.2 AD_OC15: Does the platform indicate whether ad content was generated using artificial intelligence?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through the GUI | The Meta Ad Library API response schema does not indicate whether ad content was created or manipulated using generative AI. The GUI, on the other hand, explicitly discloses this information for ads labeled as political or issue ads, when such use is declared by the advertiser. |
| EU | ❌ No | While this information is available for ads labeled as political or issue ads outside the European Union in the Meta Ad Library GUI, it is not provided for any ads served to users within the EU. This is due to Meta’s policy of not officially allowing such content to be served in the bloc. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through the GUI | The Meta Ad Library API response schema does not indicate whether ad content was created or manipulated using generative AI. The GUI, on the other hand, explicitly discloses this information for ads labeled as political or issue ads, when such use is declared by the advertiser. |
22.3.4.3 AD_OC16: Is the platform’s ad repository documentation published in open access?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, both API and GUI documentation | Any user can access Meta Ad Library’s documentation. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, both API and GUI documentation | Any user can access Meta Ad Library’s documentation. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, both API and GUI documentation | Any user can access Meta Ad Library’s documentation. |
22.3.4.4 AD_OC17: Is the platform’s ad repository documentation clearly written and exemplified?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, both API and GUI documentation | The Meta Ad Library documentation is clear and well documented with illustrative examples. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, both API and GUI documentation | The Meta Ad Library documentation is clear and well documented with illustrative examples. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, both API and GUI documentation | The Meta Ad Library documentation is clear and well documented with illustrative examples. |
22.3.4.5 AD_OC18: Does the platform’s ad repository documentation include or link to its terms of use?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | We did not identify any specific terms of service governing the use of the Meta Ad Library API or GUI. |
| EU | ❌ No | We did not identify any specific terms of service governing the use of the Meta Ad Library API or GUI. |
| UK | ❌ No | We did not identify any specific terms of service governing the use of the Meta Ad Library API or GUI. |
22.3.4.6 AD_OC19: Does the platform provide its ad repository documentation in the official languages of the assessed region?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, the GUI documentation | The API documentation is available only in English, with just a few headings translated into Portuguese, while the body text and descriptions remain in English. By contrast, the GUI documentation is fully available in Portuguese. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, the GUI documentation | The API documentation is available only in English, with just a few headings translated into the selected language, while the body text and descriptions remain in English. By contrast, the GUI documentation is fully available in the user’s chosen language when they are logged in. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, both API and GUI documentation | Both the Meta Ad Library GUI and API documentation are fully available in English. |
22.3.4.7 AD_OC20: Does the platform implement a proper deprecation strategy to avoid breaking client applications while rolling out major changes in the API?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes | The Meta Ad Library provides a changelog for its API detailing deprecation strategies and listing all upcoming changes, along with their respective release and expiration dates. |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The Meta Ad Library provides a changelog for its API detailing deprecation strategies and listing all upcoming changes, along with their respective release and expiration dates. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The Meta Ad Library provides a changelog for its API detailing deprecation strategies and listing all upcoming changes, along with their respective release and expiration dates. |
22.3.4.8 AD_OC21: Does the platform’s ad repository API documentation detail the response format of each endpoint?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes | The Meta Ad Library API documentation provides a description of the response returned by the available endpoint. |
| EU | ✅ Yes | The Meta Ad Library API documentation provides a description of the response returned by the available endpoint. |
| UK | ✅ Yes | The Meta Ad Library API documentation provides a description of the response returned by the available endpoint. |
22.3.4.9 AD_OC22: Does the platform’s ad repository API documentation detail the quota or rate limits applicable to each available endpoint?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | Although Meta provides rate-limiting documentation, it is not specific to the Ad Library API, which makes it difficult to estimate the effective quota available for collecting advertising data. |
| EU | ❌ No | Although Meta provides rate-limiting documentation, it is not specific to the Ad Library API, which makes it difficult to estimate the effective quota available for collecting advertising data. |
| UK | ❌ No | Although Meta provides rate-limiting documentation, it is not specific to the Ad Library API, which makes it difficult to estimate the effective quota available for collecting advertising data. |
22.3.5 Consistency
22.3.5.1 AD_OC23: Does the data retrieved by the API reflect what is displayed on the platform’s ad repository GUI?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library API does not disclose whether the content of ads labeled as political or issue ads was generated or manipulated using artificial intelligence. |
| EU | ✅ Yes | With the exception of ad media—such as images and videos—the content displayed in the Meta Ad Library GUI for ads served in the European Union corresponds to what is returned in structured form by its API. |
| UK | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library API does not disclose whether the content of ads labeled as political or issue ads was generated or manipulated using artificial intelligence. |
22.3.5.2 AD_OC24: Are the results returned by the platform consistently reproducible?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | We conducted a test using the Meta Ad Library API by issuing five identical requests with the same parameters, saving each response to a separate file, and comparing whether all ads appeared consistently across the files. We observed that the full set of ads was present in every response. The GUI was likewise found to return consistent results across repeated queries. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | We conducted a test using the Meta Ad Library API by issuing five identical requests with the same parameters, saving each response to a separate file, and comparing whether all ads appeared consistently across the files. We observed that the full set of ads was present in every response. The GUI was likewise found to return consistent results across repeated queries. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | We conducted a test using the Meta Ad Library API by issuing five identical requests with the same parameters, saving each response to a separate file, and comparing whether all ads appeared consistently across the files. We observed that the full set of ads was present in every response. The GUI was likewise found to return consistent results across repeated queries. |
22.3.5.3 AD_OC25: Is the data returned by the platform consistent with the parameters and filters used in the request?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | We conducted a test using the Meta Ad Library API with five requests, each employing different parameters, and compared the results against the specified filters. All responses were successfully validated, except for the “delivery by region” parameter, which returned null values for a few ads; however, all ads that included a value were consistent with the parameter. For the GUI, all displayed ads matched the applied filters, although we observed that using quotation marks in search terms allowed the export of more data than was indicated in the interface. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | We conducted a test using the Meta Ad Library API with five requests, each employing different parameters, and compared the results against the specified filters. All responses were successfully validated. For the GUI, all displayed ads matched the applied filters, although we observed that using quotation marks in search terms allowed the export of more data than was indicated in the interface. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | We conducted a test using the Meta Ad Library API with five requests, each employing different parameters, and compared the results against the specified filters. All responses were successfully validated, except for the “delivery by region” parameter, which returned null values for a few ads; however, all ads that included a value were consistent with the parameter. For the GUI, all displayed ads matched the applied filters, although we observed that using quotation marks in search terms allowed the export of more data than was indicated in the interface. |
22.3.6 Relevance
22.3.6.1 AD_OC26: Does the platform allow the use of temporal filters to retrieve data on ads?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library allows the application of a time period filter. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library allows the application of a time period filter. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library allows the application of a time period filter. |
22.3.6.2 AD_OC27: Does the platform allow filtering advertising data by ad category?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library differentiates ads only as political or non-political in Brazil, without providing filters for more specific ad categories. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | For ads served to users in the European Union, the Meta Ad Library GUI and API allow filtering data by the categories “Housing”, “Employment”, and “Financial Services”. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | For ads served to users in the European Union, the Meta Ad Library GUI and API allow filtering data by the categories “Housing”, “Employment”, and “Financial Services”, and “Issues, Elections or Politics”. |
22.3.6.3 AD_OC28: Does the platform allow filtering advertising data by geographic location?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library supports the use of a geographic location filter for ads labeled as political or issue ads. However, some ads contain null values in the geographic location field, which complicates the validation of this information. |
| EU | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library API allows geographic segmentation below the country level only for ads labeled as political or issue ads, which are no longer officially permitted in the European Union. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library supports the use of a geographic location filter for ads labeled as political or issue ads. However, some ads contain null values in the geographic location field, which complicates the validation of this information. |
22.3.7 Accuracy
22.3.7.1 AD_OC29: Does the platform provide age and gender data on the audiences of ads?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library provides age and gender data for the audience of ads labeled as political or issue ads. However, it is important to note that the demographic distribution field, which indicates the percentage of the audience population, may sometimes contain null values. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library provides age and gender data for the audience reached by ads in the European Union. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library provides age and gender data for the audience reached by ads in the United Kingdom. However, it is important to note that, for ads labeled as political or issue ads, the demographic distribution field—which indicates the percentage of the audience population—may sometimes contain null values. |
22.3.7.2 AD_OC30: Does the platform provide subnational geographic data on the audience reached by ads?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | Although the Meta Ad Library provides subnational geographic data on the audience reached by several ads, many others lack this information. No explanation is given for these omissions, and no explicit criteria can be inferred from the observed patterns. |
| EU | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library currently does not provide subnational geographic data on the audience reached by ads in the European Union. |
| UK | ❌ No | Although the Meta Ad Library provides subnational geographic data on the audience reached by several ads labeled as political or issue ads, many others lack this information. No explanation is given for these omissions, and no explicit criteria can be inferred from the observed patterns. |
22.3.7.3 AD_OC31: Does the platform include data on audience targeting criteria defined by advertisers?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library does not provide data for all targeting criteria that an advertiser can select in Brazil. |
| EU | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library does not provide data for all targeting criteria that an advertiser can select in the European Union. |
| UK | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library does not provide data for all targeting criteria that an advertiser can select in the United Kingdom. |
22.3.7.4 AD_OC32: Does the platform provide granular volume ranges for ad impressions?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library provides data on the total number of users reached by each ad labeled and classified as political or issue ad in Brazil. |
| EU | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library provides data on the total number of users reached by each ad in the European Union. |
| UK | ✅ Yes, through both GUI and API | The Meta Ad Library provides data on the total number of users reached by each ad in the United Kingdom. |
22.3.7.5 AD_OC33: Does the platform provide granular investment ranges for ad spending?
| Region | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BR | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library provides data on ad spending, but not at a sufficiently granular level. |
| EU | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library does not provide data on ad spending in the European Union. |
| UK | ❌ No | The Meta Ad Library provides data on ad spending for ads labeled as political or issue ads, but not at a sufficiently granular level. |