Twitter, now known as X, will pay $100,000 to Washington state to resolve allegations of campaign finance violations. The Washington State Attorney General’s office announced the settlement, citing that Twitter failed to properly disclose the identities and addresses of political advertisers, violating state law.
The investigation found that between 2012 and 2019, Twitter accepted payments for political ads but did not maintain the required information about the purchasers. Washington state law requires transparency in political advertising to ensure voters know who is funding political messages. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to track the sources of funding influencing elections.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson stated that the settlement aims to enforce campaign finance laws and ensure accountability. He emphasized the importance of transparency in political advertising to a fair and informed electorate. The penalty sends a message to social media platforms that they must comply with state campaign finance laws.
The case highlights the ongoing concerns about the role of social media in political campaigns. Platforms like Twitter (X) have become major channels for political advertising, making it crucial to maintain transparency. The settlement underscores the responsibility of social media companies to follow election laws and provide the public with information about political advertising.
The fine will be used to fund future campaign finance enforcement efforts in Washington State. The attorney general’s office is committed to ensuring that all political advertising is transparent and accountable, regardless of the platform used. The agreement does not include an admission of guilt from Twitter. Finishtit
