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senate Bill S. 1989

Honest Ads Act: Strengthening Disclosure Requirements for Online Political Ads

Argument in favor

Foreign governments and individuals shouldn’t be able to influence American elections by buying online ads. This bill would strengthen disclosure requirements to ensure that doesn’t happen.

AndreB's Opinion
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10/31/2017
Let’s hold social media companies to the same standards for selling political ads as any other media. It’s important for an electorate to know when they are being solicited, and that some due diligence has been done to prevent foreign powers from influencing election outcomes. Please support this bill.
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Leo's Opinion
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10/31/2017
Knowing who’s paying for an ad is often more informative than the ad itself.
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Michael.J.L's Opinion
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11/01/2017
All political ads should be required to clearly disclose exactly who funds and endorsed it.
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Argument opposed

Foreign governments and individuals are always going to find ways to try to influence American elections because of the stakes involved, they’ll surely find ways around these disclosure requirements.

Petranella's Opinion
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10/31/2017
A gut reaction bill based on fear rather than attempting to provide resolution. Adding laws to marketing firms is putting the blame on the ad agency rather than the on funder.
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Michael's Opinion
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10/31/2017
I don’t think it really matters, this is a waste of time. Russia didn’t influence the election, people voted for Trump simply because we are tired of the Democrats lying, being treasonous, and trying to create a socialist society. Republicans won simply because the Americans did not want another 4 years of a failed Obama presidency. We had dealt with 8 shitty years with him as president, and his repeated failed policies, and him making America look like one giant wimpy kid.
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Santiago's Opinion
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10/31/2017
Creative way to attempt to limit the freedom of speech. Stop spending time on limiting what people can say and focus on having an open and honesty dialogue with your constituents on a frequent and consistent basis.
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bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The house has not voted
  • The senate has not voted
      senate Committees
      Crime and Terrorism Subcommittee
      Committee on Rules and Administration
      Committee on the Judiciary
    IntroducedOctober 19th, 2017

What is Senate Bill S. 1989?

This bill — known as the Honest Ads Act — would strengthen disclosure requirements for online political advertisements by broadening the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act’s definition of electioneering activities to include such ads. In effect, this would mean that online political ads are covered by the same rules as TV, radio, and satellite ads.

Digital platforms with at least 50 million monthly viewers would be required to maintain a public file of all electioneering communications purchased by a person or group who spends more than $50,000 total on ads published on the platform. The file would contain a digital copy of the advertisement, a description of the audience the ad targets, the number of views generated, the dates and times of publication, the rates charged, and the purchaser’s contact information.

Online platforms would be required to make all reasonable efforts to ensure that foreign individuals and entities aren’t buying political ads in order to influence the American electorate.

Impact

The American electorate; online platforms that’d be required to maintain a list of political ads; and foreign governments and individuals that’d try to buy ads to influence a U.S. election.

Cost of Senate Bill S. 1989

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

More Information

In-Depth: Sponsoring Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced this bill to prevent foreign governments and individuals from using online political ads to influence a U.S. election:

“First and foremost this is an issue of national security – Russia attacked us and will continue to use different tactics to undermine our democracy and divide our country, including by purchasing disruptive online political ads. We have to secure our election systems and we have to do it now – the next election is only 383 days away. This bipartisan legislation would help protect our democracy by updating our laws to ensure that political ads sold online are covered by the same rules as TV or radio stations – and make them public so Americans can see who is trying to influence them.”

Lead cosponsor Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) added:

“In the wake of Russia’s attack on the 2016 election, it is more important than ever to strengthen our defenses against foreign interference in our elections. Unfortunately, U.S. laws requiring transparency in political campaigns have not kept pace with rapid advances in technology, allowing our adversaries to take advantage of these loopholes to deceive millions of American voters with impunity. Our bipartisan legislation would address this serious challenge by expanding landmark campaign finance law to apply to internet and digital communications platforms that command a significant audience. I have long fought to increase transparency and end the corrupting influence of special interests in political campaigns, and I am confident this legislation will modernize existing law to safeguard the integrity of our election system.”

Aside from Sen. McCain, this legislation has the support of one additional cosponsor, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA).


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Wachiwit / iStock)

AKA

Honest Ads Act

Official Title

A 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.

    AndreB's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/31/2017
    Let’s hold social media companies to the same standards for selling political ads as any other media. It’s important for an electorate to know when they are being solicited, and that some due diligence has been done to prevent foreign powers from influencing election outcomes. Please support this bill.
    Like (136)
    Follow
    Share
    Petranella's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/31/2017
    A gut reaction bill based on fear rather than attempting to provide resolution. Adding laws to marketing firms is putting the blame on the ad agency rather than the on funder.
    Like (18)
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    Share
    Leo's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/31/2017
    Knowing who’s paying for an ad is often more informative than the ad itself.
    Like (59)
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    Michael.J.L's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/01/2017
    All political ads should be required to clearly disclose exactly who funds and endorsed it.
    Like (43)
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    jimK's Opinion In Favor
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    11/05/2019
    NoHedges, thanks. I agree the Honest Ads Act is a rational approach to a serious problem. I like Klobuchar’s approach generally. She seems to focus on the core of real issues and proposes practicable solutions which are given a lot of thought. I was really impressed by her CNN town hall talk on Climate change. Her approaches not only addressed key problems; they addressed key issues in transitioning getting from ‘here’ to ‘there’. She talked about the mechanics and timelines for transitioning workers from old industries to new opportunities, how to support that transition, how long it would take and what it would cost; Very detailed and very carefully thought out. Her legislative record reflects that clarity and depth of thought on real issues. I hope she picks up in the polls. She has good ideas and should be heard.
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    Keith's Opinion In Favor
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    10/31/2017
    It is clear that the Russians used fake or misleading news on social media to influence the election. Whereas I understand that foreign powers will always try to influence our elections, the wise decision here is to do what we can to prevent this from happening again. It would also behoove Congress to restore the Fairness Doctrine, which would require news medias to offer at least one opposing opinion for their reports. Since it’s overturn in the 80s, we have seen a clear rise in combative partisanship, fueled by biased medias on both sides. We must do better.
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    Joanne's Opinion In Favor
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    11/01/2017
    Yes to Honest Ads Act. While we are at it what about Honest News Act to stop Sinclair and others from trying to brainwash people with their dishonest news. We need to protect our elections from many predators, Big money and Gerrymandering included. Reinstating The Fairness Doctrine is another thing that is needed. Show people both sides of the story.
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    Donald's Opinion In Favor
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    10/31/2017
    This took too long to come up for vote. I'm glad it is finally here though. Still need more protections.
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    Mart's Opinion In Favor
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    10/31/2017
    This includes PACs? Rich people buying ads? Foreigners, I would assume? Every ad, not just some fake law to stop the big bad Russians. It should also include all caucuses, all DNC, RNC, everyone backing that ad’s message listed after the ad.
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    Monty's Opinion In Favor
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    11/01/2017
    People or companies outside the United States should not be allowed to have any influence on the United States election as they will have no direct effect on them.
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    Laura's Opinion In Favor
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    10/31/2017
    Recent surveys show as many as two-thirds of Americans get at least a portion of their news from social media. This is largely the result of these online sites marketing themselves as reliable news sources. It is therefore imperative Facebook and other sites be held to the same standards as other media outlets. Squawking against it only indicates these monied moguls have prioritized personal profits over the welfare of the nation and the protection of democracy. So they can all cry me a frigging river. It is quite evident we have a problem that needs to be dealt with. Namely, our democracy is under attack from sources both foreign and domestic. The press is given certain wide sweeping protections in the first amendment. But these protections come with responsibility and the obligation that the free press be ever mindful of protecting our democracy. Democracy can not survive without a responsible, diligent free press. The media in general isn’t living up to their charge much of the time these days but instead too often engages in partisan politics with biased opinions offered up as truthful facts. In doing so they are inciting division, catering to the most base aspects of who we are and ripping the heart out of this great republic. You know what else is helping destroy this nation? Greedy tech giants allowing lies and misinformation to be spread by those who mean us harm just so they can add to their already ludicrous personal wealth. Nope. Enough already. Support this bill!
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    Robert's Opinion In Favor
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    10/31/2017
    I work in the digital advertising field and know how easy it is to target people of all political variations and dispositions on issues. This needs regulation because these tech giants continue to rake in money and don't want any push back and clearly don't care enough. Facebook lied for years about how stories and news is chosen and favored (it was dozens of contractors in a separate unmarked office facility that would yay or nay how viral news posts were) because their algorithm wasn't ready. This allowed partisan favorability based on who was clocked in. Imagine if any had malintent like Russia? This has probably been going on for years... Needs to end now!
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    Jesse's Opinion In Favor
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    11/01/2017
    I don’t understand why you wouldn’t support this. I freely admit that I know no more about this than what I’ve read here, but from what I see this is in no way even remotely an infringement on free speech. It is, quite literally, “A 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”. How is this censorship? This is simply letting the public see who is paying for what political ads and why. It’s already being done for TV and radio. How can this not be a good thing? Doesn’t this give more power to the people to be able to know who is influencing their lives and let them make appropriate decisions on this new information? Transparency from companies is a good thing, right?
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    Harlan's Opinion In Favor
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    11/01/2017
    Social media should be more transparent but funders should be completely transparent, not hiding behind an organization, and required to provide factual information....
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    Joel's Opinion In Favor
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    10/31/2017
    I think that the politicians should be honest with us
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    James's Opinion In Favor
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    10/31/2017
    Yes please. If we learn anything from this election it should be that absolute transparency in campaigning is necessary.
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    Michael's Opinion Against
    ···
    10/31/2017
    I don’t think it really matters, this is a waste of time. Russia didn’t influence the election, people voted for Trump simply because we are tired of the Democrats lying, being treasonous, and trying to create a socialist society. Republicans won simply because the Americans did not want another 4 years of a failed Obama presidency. We had dealt with 8 shitty years with him as president, and his repeated failed policies, and him making America look like one giant wimpy kid.
    Like (5)
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    IllWill's Opinion In Favor
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    10/31/2017
    Why isn’t something like this already in place? Online platforms should have already been subject to same requirements regarding political ads as TV and radio. We should always know who is funding political advertisements no matter where they are being aired.
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    Bahar's Opinion In Favor
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    11/01/2017
    There’s so much bias in this country, that knowing who is paying for what will help us, as voters, stay informed as to what and who we are voting for.
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    Bevysue's Opinion In Favor
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    11/05/2019
    We need to have transparency on who is funding these ads more the anything Kentucky last night to a cheering crowd Trump told them he could be president for another 21 years. Nostradamus mentioned in his prediction the last antichrist will start a 27 year war. You already know Trump does not believe in our constitution. Well here we are. Ps I had mentioned this a few weeks ago that this would be happening next. Trump is like a really bad horror movie you know what is next but when it pops out it still scares you. Unfortunately this is our real lives and we are hiding behind the chainsaws. So before we are no longer able to speak our minds as we will be ruled by a dictator I would like to say again. My Congressmen Pete King GOP is ok with us being ruled by a fascist dictator. Pete puts his party over you your children and grandchildren and Long Island. I will continue to stand behind the above statement until you pete prove me wrong. If you do step up for your family and ours I will take out a ad in Newsday and formally apologize. Man do what is right for our country. Btw the t shits yes shits not shirts Trump handed out last night said transparency. So Pete ask that of your president ask that of your party ask that of yourself. God please help us survive the destruction this GOP is creating in our great nation. Thank you god thank you god thank you god
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