Honest Ads Act

Hozzl · 2023-12-15T16:06:05Z

Explore the details of Senate Bill 486 Honest Ads Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Government Operations and Politics. Stay informed on legislative developments.

12/15/2023, 4:06 PM

Summary of Bill S 486

The Honest Ads Act, also known as Bill 118 s 486, is a piece of legislation introduced in the United States Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to increase transparency in online political advertising.

Under the Honest Ads Act, online platforms such as social media websites and search engines would be required to maintain a public file of all political advertisements purchased on their platforms. This file would include information such as the identity of the purchaser, the amount spent on the advertisement, and the target audience for the ad.

Additionally, the bill would require online platforms to make reasonable efforts to ensure that foreign entities are not purchasing political ads to influence American elections. This is in response to concerns about foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election. The Honest Ads Act has received bipartisan support in Congress, with lawmakers from both parties recognizing the importance of increasing transparency in online political advertising. Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary to protect the integrity of American elections and ensure that voters have access to accurate information about who is behind political ads. Overall, the Honest Ads Act aims to hold online platforms accountable for the political ads that are run on their platforms and to provide voters with more information about who is trying to influence their opinions.

Congressional Summary of S 486

Honest Ads Act

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

Each television or radio station, provider of cable or satellite television, or online platform must ensure that the political advertising it hosts is not directly or indirectly purchased by a foreign national.

The bill outlines political record requirements for online platforms, including by requiring these platforms to publish a record of any qualified political advertisement purchased by a person whose aggregate purchases of qualified political advertisements on the platform during the calendar year exceeds $500.

Additionally, these online platforms must display notices with online political advertisements that identify the sponsor of the advertisement.

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Current Status of Bill S 486

Bill S 486 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 16, 2023. Bill S 486 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on February 16, 2023. Bill S 486's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. as of February 16, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 486

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 486

Primary Policy Focus

Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact Areas

Administrative law and regulatory proceduresBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightDigital mediaElections, voting, political campaign regulationFederal Election Commission (FEC)Government information and archivesInternet, web applications, social mediaNews media and reportingPolitical advertisingTelevision and filmU.S. and foreign investments

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 486

Honest Ads ActHonest Ads ActA bill to 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.

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