California Penalizes Undisclosed Political Influencer Ads With $5,000 Fines
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 19
California Penalizes Undisclosed Political Influencer Ads With $5,000 Fines
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 19
Summary
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a California law letting regulators fine influencers up to $5,000 per undisclosed paid political post and refer cases for misdemeanor prosecution.
The measure closes an enforcement gap in disclosure rules that have applied since 2023 to paid posts about state and local campaigns but previously carried no direct penalties for creators.
Marc Berman said he introduced the bill after reports that campaigns quietly paid influencers during California’s governor primary, including Tom Steyer’s use of dozens of creators across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Reddit.
Complaints against Steyer’s campaign and rival Xavier Becerra helped spur scrutiny; the Fair Political Practices Commission closed one Steyer inquiry this week but said another investigation is still pending.
California acted as politicians increasingly use influencers to reach younger voters, while federal law still lacks disclosure rules for paid political social media posts and other states are weighing similar measures.