Honest Ads Act

The Honest Ads Act would require major online platforms (with 50 million+ monthly US visitors) to disclose who is behind political advertisements, similar to existing requirements for TV and radio ads. Platforms would need to maintain public, machine-readable records of political ads purchased for over $500 annually, including ad content, audience targeting, cost, and sponsor information. The bill would mandate clear, visible disclosure of the ad sponsor directly in the advertisement and ensure this disclosure remains visible when the ad is shared. This legislation aims to increase transparency about political advertising online, helping voters identify who is funding messages that influence their votes and making it easier to detect foreign interference in elections.