Meta Bans TikTok Ads on Facebook and Instagram in Seven Countries
Meta has banned advertisements promoting TikTok and other ByteDance services on Facebook and Instagram in seven countries, including Indonesia, Japan and Thailand. The restrictions took effect immediately and extend to third-party advertisers directing users to ByteDance platforms. The decision intensifies the competition between two of the world's biggest social media companies as they battle for audiences, creators and advertising revenue across international markets.
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The ban covers the United States, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. It applies both to campaigns purchased by ByteDance and to third-party advertisements that link to TikTok or other ByteDance properties.
Meta defended its move as a commercial decision, saying businesses are not obliged to promote rivals seeking to draw customers away from their services. The company said it would continue to compete through product quality and user experience.
TikTok and ByteDance had not responded to Reuters' requests for comment at the time of publication.
TikTok's website indicates that links opening or logging users into rival social media applications are not supported. Users can, however, add website links to their profiles.
The dispute comes as the platforms face pressure over children's online safety. Meta has urged TikTok and YouTube to adopt protections similar to measures it agreed to introduce following a settlement with US states.
Those commitments include daily usage limits, restrictions on children's nighttime access and stronger controls around age-restricted content. TikTok also reached a settlement with Alabama in September involving usage limits and age-verification safeguards.
The immediate advertising restrictions affect several major Asian markets, potentially changing how ByteDance and outside advertisers promote TikTok through Meta's services. It remains unclear whether either side will introduce further restrictions.
Source: Reuters
