New California law will penalize influencers who don’t disclose political ads
Disrupt 2026: OpenAI, Anthropic, Replit, and more take over 6 industry stages. 25% off tickets now New legislation signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom adds teeth to disclosure requirements for online influencers who are paid to post about politics. The New York Times reports that California already required disclosure for influencers who post about state or local races — but when someone failed to disclose, there were no fines or criminal penalties. (Texas also requires disclosure for paid political content, and other states are considering similar regulations.) Under the new bill, AB 1130, regulators can fine influencers up to $5,000 for each violation, and they can also refer them to law enforcement for potential misdemeanors. According to the NYT, billionaire Tom Steyer, who unsuccessfully campaigned for the Democratic nomination for California governor earlier this year, paid dozens of influencers to post about his campaign online, and many of them did not initially disclose the payments. Newsom signed the legislation as part of a broader package of bills that his office said will protect against potential election interference from President Donald Trump. The bill’s sponsor, Democratic Assemblyman Marc Berman, said that he introduced the bill after realizing there was “a bit of ambiguity about the [existing] law and how it’s enforced.” Last day to book an exhibit table is September 18. Don’t miss out on high-impact leads, investor access, and a brand spotlight in Disrupt’s Expo Hall. Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight. Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly. Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice.
Source: TechCrunch
This article has been carefully curated and reformatted for educational and informational purposes. Full credit goes to the original publisher.
📚 Visit more helpful articles on Joab Peters Blog
No comments