Twitter will pay $100,000 to Washington state to resolve campaign finance violations. Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office announced the settlement, which stems from Twitter’s failure to disclose the true sources of funds behind political advertising on its platform.
The violations occurred between 2012 and 2019, when Twitter accepted payments from political committees but did not maintain proper records of the original contributors, as required by Washington state law. This lack of transparency made it difficult to track who was actually funding political ads, potentially influencing elections without proper accountability.
Ferguson’s office emphasized the importance of transparency in campaign finance, stating that voters have the right to know who is spending money to influence their decisions. The settlement includes not only the $100,000 payment but also an agreement by Twitter to improve its compliance with Washington’s campaign finance laws.
Specifically, Twitter will implement new procedures to ensure that it collects and maintains accurate information about the sources of funds for political advertising. This includes verifying the identities of contributors and maintaining detailed records of all transactions.
This settlement marks the latest effort by Washington state to enforce its campaign finance laws and hold social media companies accountable for their role in political advertising. As online platforms become increasingly important in elections, regulators are paying close attention to ensure transparency and prevent hidden influence. The fine and the agreement to adhere to Washington’s campaign finance law, sets a precedent for other states to follow, and protects future elections from hidden money.
