Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Introduces Bipartisan Bill Requiring Influencers to Disclose Payments by Foreign Governments

Washington, D.C. —  Today, U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), joined by co-leads Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL-23) introduced the Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act, legislation to strengthen transparency surrounding foreign influence online by expressly including social media influencers under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

The bill would amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to expressly include social media influencers within the definition of a “publicity agent.” The legislation defines a social media influencer as any person with a monetized social media account and incorporates the existing federal definition of a social media platform.

“There is a big difference between having an organic opinion and secretly acting on behalf of foreign interests to push propaganda to Americans,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. “Foreign adversaries have been actively using disinformation and psychological operations to divide America, erode our national security, and undermine U.S. foreign policy. Americans deserve to know when the voices shaping what they see online are working on behalf of foreign interests.”

Social media has become one of the most powerful tools for shaping public opinion, political debate, and public trust. As foreign adversaries look for new ways to influence Americans online, Rep. Luna’s legislation would close a transparency gap by ensuring social media influencers are expressly included within FARA’s existing disclosure framework.

“Federal law must adapt to an ever-changing digital media landscape, especially as more Americans turn to social media for news consumption and public discourse. Our bill increases public transparency around paid partnerships between social media influencers and foreign governments to prevent deceptive practices that may hinder audiences from building a fully informed opinion,” said Congressman Gonzalez.

Key Provisions of the Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act 

• Brings Social Media Influencers Under FARA: Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act to expressly include “social media influencers” within the definition of a “publicity agent.”

• Defines Social Media Influencers: Defines a “social media influencer” as any person who has a monetized social media account on a social media platform.

• Defines Social Media Platforms: Incorporates the existing federal definition of a “social media platform” established under federal law.

Rep. Luna emphasized that the legislation is designed to strengthen transparency surrounding foreign influence operations and ensure that social media influencers acting on behalf of foreign interests are not able to conceal those relationships from the American public.

“Americans should be able to know when the people shaping conversations online are acting on behalf of foreign interests,” Rep. Luna continued. “The Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act brings foreign-backed influence operations into the light and sends a clear message that America’s public square is not for sale.”

View the full bill text here

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Contact:

Office of Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna

(202) 225-5961 | david.leatherwood@mail.house.gov

Follow updates at luna.house.gov