The online influencer ecosystem has drifted far from its roots. What began as largely ideology-driven has become almost entirely financially driven.
For most of the past year, Iโve been calling for the FTC to update its guidelines so that paid political content faces the same disclosure requirements as paid promotions of commercial products: clothing, food, cosmetics, or anything else.
Right now, if someone is paid to support or oppose a candidate or political issue online, no disclosure is required.
Itโs time for that to change.