Dark ads could be used to influence Holyrood election

So-called “dark ads” on social media could be exploited in n ex t ye a r ’s S c o t t i s h Pa r l i a - ment election unless action is taken to tighten new campaign rules, pro - democracy groups have warned.

Online campaign adverts featuring pictures and videos may escape the new regulations which require the bodies paying for them to be clearly set out.

It means images and vide - os could be downloaded and re-shared widely with voters left in the dark about who is behind them - because there is no requirement to “embed” the sponsor's name in the image.

F i v e l e a d i n g d e m o c r a c y organisations have now written to Constitution Secretary Michael Russell calling on him to tighten new regulations on campaigning due to come into effect in Scotland on Monday.

Willie Sullivan, director of Electoral Reform Society Scotland, said: “While we welcome Scottish Government action to end ‘dark ads’, these rules need tightening to protect a free and fair debate.

"Voters must know who is trying to influence our political debate. We hope the government looks again at this potential loophole in advance of the Holyrood elections.”

There have been widespread claims that Russia sought to interfere in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum - and next year's Holyrood vote is poised to be fought on Scotland's right to stage another vote on leaving the UK.

Although the new regulations do require that online picture and video adverts should be clear about who is paying for them, this does not need to be embedded in them.

Kyle Taylor, director of Fair Vote UK, warned this is a "loophole" that could be exploited by unscrupulous groups in the course of the campaign.as well as the Electoral Reform Society and Fair Vote UK, other signatories on the letter to Mr Russell include Transparency International UK, Unlock Democracy and the Open Rights Group.

They state: “We would urge yo u t o c l o s e t h i s l o o p h o l e before the regulations come into effect and to make clear that video/image online campaign materials must contain a clear imprint within the material itself.”

This is “common practice” with political video advertisements, according to the campaigners.

"As it stands, we are deeply concerned this is an open invitation to abuse,” they add.