Compliance Officer
A compliance officer is a professional responsible for ensuring that an organisation meets all applicable legal requirements, industry standards, and internal policies. In the context of political advertising, compliance officers help organisations and political actors understand and fulfil their obligations under the EU Regulation on transparency and targeting of political advertising (Regulation 2024/900), working to prevent violations and manage compliance risks.
Why It Matters
Compliance officers play a crucial role for any organisation involved in political advertising—whether as sponsors, publishers, or providers of political advertising services. Under Regulation 2024/900, these professionals help organisations navigate complex transparency obligations, record-keeping requirements, and restrictions on targeting techniques. They ensure that political advertisements are properly labelled, that transparency notices contain all required information, and that personal data is processed lawfully when used for targeting or ad placement.
For political parties, campaign organisations, media outlets, and online platforms, compliance officers serve as the central point of contact for regulatory questions and implementation of due diligence measures. They develop internal procedures to verify sponsor identities, maintain records of political advertising activities, and establish reporting channels for potential breaches. This role is particularly important given that violations can result in significant fines under both the political advertising regulation and the GDPR.
In practice, compliance officers must coordinate across multiple departments—legal, marketing, data protection, and operations—to ensure holistic compliance. They monitor regulatory developments, conduct internal audits, provide training to staff, and liaise with supervisory authorities when necessary. For organisations that regularly handle political advertising, having a dedicated or designated compliance officer helps demonstrate accountability and commitment to regulatory compliance.
Key Points
- Cross-functional role: Compliance officers coordinate legal, data protection, marketing, and operational teams to ensure regulatory adherence across the organisation
- Transparency implementation: They ensure political advertisements include proper labels and transparency notices as required by Regulation 2024/900
- Record-keeping responsibility: Compliance officers establish and maintain systems for documenting political advertising activities, sponsor information, and targeting practices
- Regulatory liaison: They serve as the primary contact with supervisory authorities, including Digital Services Coordinators and data protection authorities
- Risk management: Compliance officers identify compliance risks, develop mitigation strategies, and respond to potential violations before they escalate
- Training and awareness: They educate employees and stakeholders about obligations under political advertising and data protection regulations
Compliance Officer vs. Data Protection Officer
While both roles focus on regulatory compliance, a Data Protection Officer (DPO) is a specific position required under the GDPR for certain organisations, with defined responsibilities for personal data protection. A compliance officer has a broader mandate covering all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to data protection.
In the context of political advertising, organisations may need both roles: the DPO ensures that targeting techniques comply with GDPR requirements (lawful basis, transparency, data subject rights), while the compliance officer oversees the full range of obligations under Regulation 2024/900, including transparency notices, sponsor verification, and restrictions on third-country sponsorship. In smaller organisations, one person may fulfil both functions, though the DPO role carries specific legal protections and reporting lines under the GDPR.