The government is finalizing a new bill to regulate the fast-growing digital advertising market, which now consumes over 80 percent of local marketing budgets.
The draft law follows preliminary consultations within a technical government committee and aims to address the dominance of global platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, which currently operate without local legal oversight.
The proposed legislation would require these platforms to appoint a legal representative based in Morocco responsible for liaising with authorities and submitting regular reports on advertising activities targeting the Moroccan market.
It also expands the powers of the country’s audiovisual regulatory authority to monitor digital ads and content, even if the platforms lack a physical presence in Morocco.
Morocco looks to align with the European Digital Services Act, focusing on transparency, consumer protection, and combating misinformation and hate speech.
The bill seeks to ensure fair competition between international platforms and local digital actors while strengthening national digital sovereignty and data protection.
Reactions among digital sector stakeholders are mixed. Supporters view the law as crucial to protecting the local market and digital users, while critics warn it risks becoming a censorship tool limiting freedom of expression and creativity.
Calls for broader consultations including platforms, industry groups, and legal experts aim to craft a balanced regulatory framework.
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