Leading Scholars and Organizations Announce Support for Rep. Eshoo’s Bill to Ban Microtargeted Political Ads

Several leading experts and groups announced support for the Banning Microtargeted Political Ads Act (HR 7014), legislation introduced by Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA) to strengthen our democracy by prohibiting microtargeted political ads. Leading privacy and campaign reform scholars Woodrow Hartzog, Shoshana Zuboff, Ashkan Soltani, and G. Michael Parsons, along with Mozilla, Open Markets Institute, and Avaaz, became the latest experts and organizations expressing support for the Banning Microtargeted Political Ads Act.  The bill prohibits online platforms, including social media, ad networks, and streaming services, from targeting political ads based on the demographic or behavioral data of users. HR 7014 applies to all electioneering communications and advocacy for candidates, and violations will be enforced by the Federal Election Commission and through a private right of action. Targeting ads to broad geographies – states, municipalities, and congressional districts – is permitted under the bill, as is targeting individuals who opt in to receive targeted ads.