H.R. 4955 · 117th Congress
Banning Microtargeted Political Ads Act of 2021
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 117th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
D
EshooSponsorNo cosponsors.
This bill generally prohibits online platforms (e.g., websites, mobile applications, and social networks) from disseminating political advertisements that are targeted to an individual, a connected device, or a group of individuals or connected devices based on personal information that is linked to an individual or device.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Aug 6, 2021
Banning Microtargeted Political Ads Act of 2021
This bill generally prohibits online platforms (e.g., websites, mobile applications, and social networks) from disseminating political advertisements that are targeted to an individual, a connected device, or a group of individuals or connected devices based on personal information that is linked to an individual or device.
The prohibition does not apply to a political advertisement that is targeted to (1) an individual or device within a recognized place (e.g., states, Indian lands, and congressional districts), (2) an individual who gives express consent for the political advertisement, (3) an individual who is searching for the information, or (4) an individual on a random basis.
Additionally, the bill establishes a private right of action with respect to the prohibition. Further, pre-dispute arbitration agreements and pre-dispute joint-action waivers are unenforceable with respect to a dispute arising from the prohibition.
The bill expands the definition of electioneering communication to include certain internet or digital communication that is placed or promoted on an online platform for a fee and also expands the exception to this definition for news. Further, it broadens the definition of public communication to include a communication by means of any paid internet, paid digital communication, or paid promotion.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Banning Microtargeted Political Ads Act of 2021
Latest action (Aug 6, 2021): Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics · Origin: House · Introduced: Aug 6, 2021
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.