H.R. 10166: Foreign Propaganda Disclosure Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill would change the Foreign Agents Registration Act so that social media influencers can be covered by it. In practical terms, it says that a person with a monetized social media account on any social media platform would count as a “social media influencer” under the law.

What that means

The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires certain people who act on behalf of foreign principals to register with the U.S. government and disclose their activities. By adding social media influencers to the law’s definition of covered persons, the bill would make it possible for influencers who are acting for a foreign government, foreign political party, or other foreign principal to be subject to those registration and disclosure requirements.

What the bill changes

Adds “social media influencer” to the statute’s list of people that can fall under the law.
Defines a social media influencer as any person with a monetized social media account.
Uses an existing federal definition of “social media platform” from another law.

What the bill does not do

It does not create a new general licensing system for all influencers.
It does not say that every influencer must register, only those who meet the Foreign Agents Registration Act’s requirements because they are acting for foreign interests covered by the law.
It does not spell out new penalties or enforcement procedures in the text provided; it relies on the existing Foreign Agents Registration Act framework.