Honest Ads Act

8/24/2023, 11:15 AM

Honest Ads Act

This bill applies requirements, limitations, and protections regarding political advertising in traditional media to internet or digital political advertising. The bill sets forth special rules for disclosure statements for certain internet or digital ads.

The Honest Ads Act, also known as Bill 117 hr 9513, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of increasing transparency in online political advertising. The bill requires online platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google to maintain a public database of political ads purchased on their platforms. This database would include information about the ad's target audience, the amount spent on the ad, and the identity of the individual or organization funding the ad.

The Honest Ads Act also requires online platforms to make reasonable efforts to ensure that foreign entities are not purchasing political ads to influence US elections. This is in response to concerns about foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election through the use of social media advertising.

Additionally, the bill requires online platforms to make it clear to users when they are viewing a political ad, by including a disclaimer stating who paid for the ad. This is intended to help users better understand the source of the information they are seeing and make more informed decisions about the content they consume. Overall, the Honest Ads Act aims to bring greater transparency and accountability to online political advertising, in order to protect the integrity of US elections and ensure that voters have access to accurate and reliable information.
Congress
117

Number
HR - 9513

Introduced on
2022-12-13

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

12/13/2022

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Honest Ads Act

This bill applies requirements, limitations, and protections regarding political advertising in traditional media to internet or digital political advertising. The bill sets forth special rules for disclosure statements for certain internet or digital ads.

The Honest Ads Act, also known as Bill 117 hr 9513, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of increasing transparency in online political advertising. The bill requires online platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google to maintain a public database of political ads purchased on their platforms. This database would include information about the ad's target audience, the amount spent on the ad, and the identity of the individual or organization funding the ad.

The Honest Ads Act also requires online platforms to make reasonable efforts to ensure that foreign entities are not purchasing political ads to influence US elections. This is in response to concerns about foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election through the use of social media advertising.

Additionally, the bill requires online platforms to make it clear to users when they are viewing a political ad, by including a disclaimer stating who paid for the ad. This is intended to help users better understand the source of the information they are seeing and make more informed decisions about the content they consume. Overall, the Honest Ads Act aims to bring greater transparency and accountability to online political advertising, in order to protect the integrity of US elections and ensure that voters have access to accurate and reliable information.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo enhance transparency and accountability for online political advertisements by requiring those who purchase and publish such ads to disclose information about the advertisements to the public, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Digital media
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Government information and archives
Internet, web applications, social media
News media and reporting
Political advertising
Television and film
U.S. and foreign investments

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary8/24/2023

Honest Ads Act

This bill applies requirements, limitations, and protections regarding political advertising in traditional media to internet or digital political advertising. The bill sets forth special rules for disclosur...


Latest Action12/13/2022
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.