Honest Ads Act

Hozzl · 2023-12-15T15:56:53Z

Explore the details of House Bill 2599 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, 3:56 PM

Summary of Bill HR 2599

The Honest Ads Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 2599, 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 purchasing 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 includes implementing measures to verify the identity and location of individuals or organizations purchasing political ads.

Additionally, the bill requires online platforms to make all reasonable efforts to ensure that political ads are labeled as such and include information about who paid for the ad. This is intended to provide greater transparency to voters and help them make informed decisions about the information they are exposed to online. Overall, the Honest Ads Act aims to address concerns about foreign interference in US elections and increase transparency in online political advertising. It has received bipartisan support in Congress and is seen as a step towards safeguarding the integrity of US elections.

Congressional Summary of HR 2599

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.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill HR 2599

Bill HR 2599 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since April 13, 2023. Bill HR 2599 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on April 13, 2023. Bill HR 2599's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on House Administration. as of April 13, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 2599

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 HR 2599

Primary Policy Focus

Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact Areas

- 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

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 2599

Honest Ads Act

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.