Twitter will pay $100,000 to Washington state to settle allegations of campaign finance violations, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced. The violations stem from Twitter’s failure to disclose the true sponsors of political ads run on its platform between 2012 and 2019.
The investigation revealed that Twitter did not maintain adequate records of who was paying for political advertising. This lack of transparency made it difficult for the public to understand who was influencing Washington state elections. State law requires clear disclosure of ad sponsors to ensure transparency and accountability in political campaigns.
According to Ferguson, “Washington’s campaign finance laws are clear: those who run political ads must disclose who paid for them.” He added, “Transparency in political advertising is essential for a healthy democracy.”
The settlement requires Twitter to pay $100,000 in penalties. It also mandates that Twitter implement measures to improve its compliance with Washington’s campaign finance laws, including maintaining detailed records of ad purchasers and ensuring proper disclosure of political ad sponsors.
This settlement is part of a broader effort by the Washington State Attorney General’s office to enforce campaign finance laws and ensure transparency in political advertising. Previous investigations have targeted other major tech companies for similar violations. The Attorney General’s office emphasized that it will continue to hold social media platforms accountable for complying with state laws.
Twitter has cooperated with the investigation and has taken steps to address the issues raised. The company acknowledged the importance of complying with campaign finance regulations and stated its commitment to ensuring transparency in political advertising on its platform. The settlement prevents further legal action on this matter.
