Washington Sues Facebook, Google For Failure To Disclose Political Ad Spending (techcrunch.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Facebook and Google were paid millions for political advertising purposes in Washington but failed for years to publish related information -- such as the advertiser's address -- as required by state law, alleges a lawsuit by the state's attorney general. Washington law requires that "political campaign and lobbying contributions and expenditures be fully disclosed to the public and that secrecy is to be avoided." Specifically, "documents and books of account" must be made available for public inspection during the campaign and for three years following; these must detail the candidate, name of advertiser, address, cost and method of payment, and description services rendered. Bob Ferguson, Washington's attorney general, filed a lawsuit yesterday alleging that both Facebook and Google "failed to obtain and maintain" this information.

Comments

They have to keep track of who pays for ads?

[ITRambo]

Maybe both Facebook and Google are used to simply taking money from advertisers, rather than keeping track of all the details involved. That might require real people to do work and verify information veracity. I wonder what excuses they'll come up with to explain why they ignore laws that apply to everyone else.

Re:They have to keep track of who pays for ads?

[Narcocide]

I wonder what excuses they'll come up with to explain why they ignore laws that apply to everyone else.

LOL! They'll say they can't afford to comply.

Re:Oh look, Bob Ferguson is campaigning again

[Zontar The Mindless]

What bearing has this on the veracity of the allegations made in the lawsuit? None whatsoever? Thanks for playing!

Paid political ads should NEVER be anonymous

[KixWooder]

Exactly who paid for the ad should be visible within the ad, without having to click a link or run your mouse over it. Same as TV ads that say "paid for by".

Re: Paid political ads should NEVER be anonymous

[KixWooder]

You can have all the anonymous political talk and promoting you want. Once money is involved, the anonymity should end.

Re:Oh look, Bob Ferguson is campaigning again

[jedidiah]

You could complain that the law shouldn't exist or that it's a bogus prosecution. The gibberish you just posted is completely worthless.

Re: Just sad that Obama didn't do that

[greenwow]

You're talking about Marc Elias. He was the general counsel for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and for John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. That's a weak argument to say she wasn't responsible.

Re:Oh look, Bob Ferguson is campaigning again

[Narcocide]

Lawful + welfare = ...lawfare??

You're Russian, aren't you?

Washington does not want

[oldgraybeard]

your corporations in the state I'd start to move everything out to a friendlier place.

Just my 2 cents ;)

Let's clean up that headline

[Required Snark]

"Washington Sues Facebook, Google For Failure To Disclose Political Ad Spending"

Translation. "Washington State Sues Business Rivals of Microsoft"

Now it makes sense.