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Bill

SB 697

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Feldman and 1 co-sponsor

Prohibits foreign nationals from purchasing social media algorithms and bots to influence Maryland elections, requiring platforms to implement detection and prevention safeguards.

Hearing 4/01 at 1:00 p.m.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 697

Legislative bill overview

SB 697 would prohibit foreign nationals from purchasing social media platform algorithms and bot networks for the purpose of influencing Maryland elections. The bill establishes penalties for violations and requires social media platforms to implement safeguards to prevent such purchases and detect foreign manipulation campaigns targeting state elections.

Why is this important

Election interference through coordinated inauthentic behavior and algorithmic manipulation has become a documented threat to electoral integrity. This bill directly addresses a gap in current election law by targeting the infrastructure—algorithms and bot networks—that foreign actors use to amplify disinformation and artificially manufacture political engagement at scale during elections.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement challenges: Determining ownership and nationality of algorithm purchasers operating through shell companies or intermediaries may prove technically difficult and costly for platforms
  • First Amendment concerns: Critics may argue the bill's restrictions could inadvertently limit legitimate speech or create vague standards about what constitutes "influence" versus protected political expression
  • Platform compliance burden: The bill imposes regulatory obligations on social media companies that operate nationally, raising questions about whether Maryland can effectively mandate platform-wide security measures or if this creates a patchwork of state regulations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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