MD SB697

Social media platforms that knowingly alter their algorithms to amplify political content benefiting a specific candidate are presumed to have made an independent expenditure, requiring campaign finance reporting under Maryland law

Platforms can rebut this presumption by obtaining a declaratory ruling from the State Board showing the algorithm change was not intended to influence an election, resulted from organic virality, or served a legitimate business purpose

Willful failure to file required independent expenditure reports carries criminal penalties up to 300% of the amount exceeding contribution limits; unintentional violations carry civil penalties up to 100%

Foreign nationals are prohibited from using bots to publish or distribute campaign material or artificially amplify political content to Maryland users for the purpose of influencing elections

Effective date: October 1, 2026