Election Law - Actions to Influence an Election - Social Media Platform Algorithms and Bots Purchased by Foreign Nationals

SB 697 establishes rules for social media platforms and foreign nationals influencing Maryland elections. It creates a rebuttable presumption that a platform making a deliberate algorithm change to amplify political content for a specific candidate is treating it as an independent expenditure (like a campaign donation), requiring them to file reports. The bill also prohibits foreign nationals from purchasing bots to artificially boost political content or campaign materials on online platforms. Platforms failing to report such expenditures face fines up to 300% of the unreported amount. The law applies only to candidates for Maryland state or local offices.