• Send Us A Tip
  • Calling all Tech Writers
  • Advertise
Saturday, June 21, 2025
  • Login
  • Register
TechStory
  • News
  • Crypto
  • Gadgets
  • Memes
  • Gaming
  • Cars
  • AI
  • Startups
  • Markets
  • How to
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Crypto
  • Gadgets
  • Memes
  • Gaming
  • Cars
  • AI
  • Startups
  • Markets
  • How to
No Result
View All Result
TechStory
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Facebook provided false testimony in campaign transparency lawsuit

by Manasi Varma
October 14, 2021
in News, World
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Facebook
TwitterWhatsappLinkedin

News has it that a Facebook representative provided false testimony in a campaign transparency lawsuit. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson has accused the social media giant of violating state campaign finance laws in his court filings.

You might also like

British F-35B Jet Stranded in Thiruvananthapuram After Emergency Landing

Trump Nominated by Pakistan for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize Over India-Pakistan Peace Efforts

Weekly Business News: Everything from Starlink’s India entry to Ecom Express Acquisition

Facebook provided false testimony in campaign transparency lawsuit
Image Credits: Wikipedia

In Direct Contravention of the Law

Ferguson has alleged that Facebook, as well as its attorneys, knew that that testimony was false, and even set up a formal process for persons seeking information on political ads. As per the process, they are required to limit their requests “in direct contravention on Washington law.”

Facebook was sued by the Attorney General last year for the second time, when he accused the company of “repeatedly and openly” violating the state’s transparency laws for campaigning, by selling political ads without making public any legally implicated details of the spending.

Above the Law?

In his new filing, Ferguson claims that despite being a commercial advertiser, Facebook tends to “view itself above this law.” He adds that even after he had filing the previous lawsuits, the company is still admanat on not allowing the public to gain access to information pertaining to political adverts.

The social network has previously argued that the campaign finance laws in Washington are “unconstitutional,” claiming that they violate the free speech protections under the First Amendment, as well as the Commerce Clause, which provides Congress the ability to regulate commerce between states.

In its own court filing, the company has claimed that its testimony was not false, because the issue that the Office of the Attorney General was pursuing had been outside the scope and time frame they had agreed upon. The industry giant was previously forced to pay $238,000 as fine, during the settlement of Ferguson’s first lawsuit over the same matter, back in 2018.

Onerous Legislations, Or So They Say

The campaign finance laws in Washington are rather strict, and demand Facebook and other ad sellers to disclose specific data regarding the names and addresses of people who target ads, and those who buy ads, as well as the total number of views on each ad.

The law has been deemed “onerous” by Facebook, which claims that the same violates the First Amendment by forcing it into making political speech that it wouldn’t otherwise mak, by compelling  to divulge information regarding who is buying and targeting political adverts. It may be noted that following the 2018 suit, the firm had voluntarily announced that it would stop selling political adverts in Washington, but later failed to do so.

The Attorney General’s Office says that Facebook sold at least 171 ads in Washington since November 2018, earning at least $525,000. Facebook has admitted to continuing to sell ads despite announcing that it wouldn’t, in its court filing. At the same time, it has also said that people who purchase these ads are violating its policies, and that these ads are taken down when the firm comes to know of them.

Tags: Attorney GeneralBob FergusonfacebookFirst AmendmentWashington
Tweet54SendShare15
Previous Post

Acer Global Press Conference 2021 – Major New Announcements

Next Post

Upcoming Google Pixel 6 benchmarks leaked online prior to launch

Manasi Varma

A 20-something year old with a flair for writing, a love for reading, and an obsession for KPop. Most amicable person you'll ever meet.

Recommended For You

British F-35B Jet Stranded in Thiruvananthapuram After Emergency Landing

by Rounak Majumdar
June 21, 2025
0
British F-35B Jet Stranded in Thiruvananthapuram After Emergency Landing

A British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet remains grounded at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Kerala, days after it was forced to make an emergency landing due to a...

Read more

Trump Nominated by Pakistan for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize Over India-Pakistan Peace Efforts

by Rounak Majumdar
June 21, 2025
0
Trump Nominated by Pakistan for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize Over India-Pakistan Peace Efforts

Pakistan has made international headlines by formally nominating former US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, crediting his role in de-escalating the recent conflict between...

Read more

Weekly Business News: Everything from Starlink’s India entry to Ecom Express Acquisition

by Ishaan Negi
June 21, 2025
0
Weekly Business News: Top business updates in this week

India’s rapidly evolving business and tech landscape is witnessing a week of dramatic turns—from legal battles and leadership pivots to billion-dollar investments and policy wins. From baby brands...

Read more
Next Post
Upcoming Google Pixel 6 benchmarks leaked online prior to launch

Upcoming Google Pixel 6 benchmarks leaked online prior to launch

Please login to join discussion

Techstory

Tech and Business News from around the world. Follow along for latest in the world of Tech, AI, Crypto, EVs, Business Personalities and more.
reach us at [email protected]

Advertise With Us

Reach out at - [email protected]

BROWSE BY TAG

#Crypto #howto 2024 acquisition AI amazon Apple bitcoin Business China cryptocurrency e-commerce electric vehicles Elon Musk Ethereum facebook flipkart funding Gaming Google India Instagram Investment ios iPhone IPO Market Markets Meta Microsoft News NFT samsung Social Media SpaceX startup startups tech technology Tesla TikTok trend trending twitter US

© 2024 Techstory.in

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Crypto
  • Gadgets
  • Memes
  • Gaming
  • Cars
  • AI
  • Startups
  • Markets
  • How to

© 2024 Techstory.in

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?