McCain calls for new regulations amid Russian political influence
Nov 1, 2017, 6:10 PM | Updated: Mar 1, 2018, 3:41 pm
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., delivers remarks at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Monday, Oct. 30, 2017. McCain, who graduated from the Academy in 1958, returned to his alma mater to address the Brigade of Midshipmen on leadership and service to the nation. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
PHOENIX — In the wake of Russian influence during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has called for new regulations for the purchase of online political advertisements.
“It is abundantly clear that Russia took advantage of America’s outdated campaign finance laws to interfere in the 2016 election and deepen division within our country,” McCain said in a statement Tuesday.
McCain urged tech companies to support the Honest Ads Act he and U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mark Warner (D-VA) proposed Oct. 19.
According to McCain’s website, the bill would require digital platforms who total 50 million monthly viewers to maintain a public file of election-based communications purchased by an individual or groups who spend more than $500.
The proposed bill will implement the same rules to online advertisements as those sold on TV, radio, and satellite. By doing so, it would help prevent foreign interference in future elections.
Representatives of Facebook said Tuesday that an estimated 126 million users were exposed to Russian-backed advertisements during the 2016 election. This adds to the estimated 288 million views Russian-influenced tweets viewed as well as more than 43 hours of video content on YouTube.
According to McCain, the Russian’s attempt to influence the election falls under “proper context of Vladimir Putin’s imperial ambitions,” referencing the leader’s invasion of Ukraine and attempt to reestablish Russian influence in the Middle East.
“All of us should be deeply disturbed by Russia’s actions and I hope the tech industry will ultimately support our Honest Ads Act to ensure our citizens have full disclosure of the political advertisements they see on digital platforms.”
