Twitter has agreed to a $100,000 settlement with Washington state over campaign finance violations. The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) found Twitter failed to properly disclose political advertiser identities and spending amounts during recent elections.
The investigation was triggered by complaints about transparency surrounding political ads. State law requires social media platforms to maintain records of political ad purchases, including advertiser details, ad schedules, and payment amounts, accessible to the public. The PDC found that Twitter’s record-keeping was inadequate, making it difficult to track ad funding.
PDC Chair David Ammons emphasized that transparency in political advertising is essential for a fair election. “This settlement sends a clear message that social media platforms must comply with campaign finance laws and provide the public with the information they need to make informed decisions,” Ammons stated.
Twitter has pledged to adhere to Washington campaign finance laws. The company cooperated with the investigation and will implement new procedures and employee training to ensure compliance with the state’s campaign finance regulations. The settlement underscores the importance of transparency in political advertising and the responsibility of social media platforms to follow election laws. Finishtit
