Online Political Advertising Legislation to be Introduced

U.S. Congressman Cicilline (D-RI) has announced  his intent to introduce legislation “that tightly restricts the use of personal, online consumer data that is often used to ‘microtarget’ voters with misleading ads.” According to his release, the legislation will be titled the “Protecting Democracy from Disinformation Act” and has the following elements: 

• Restricts Microtargeting: Only allows advertisers and online platforms to use age, gender, and location when targeting political ads. 

• Improves Transparency: Requires disclosure and reporting on who paid for an ad, how much it cost, whom an ad is aimed at, and who saw the ad.

• Holds Online Platforms Accountable: Provides enforcement through the Federal Election Commission’s existing authority, a private right of action, and criminal penalties for online platforms and ad intermediaries that knowingly and willfully violate the Act.

Expect issues such as microtargeting and others to come to the forefront as we enter in the election season of 2020. 

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