The Washington State Supreme Court has upheld a $35.2 million penalty against Meta Platforms, concluding a years-long legal battle over the company's compliance with state campaign finance disclosure requirements for political advertising.
The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Washington state prosecutors in 2020, alleging that Meta repeatedly failed to meet disclosure obligations required under the state's Fair Campaign Practices Act.
In its ruling, the court declined to overturn the lower court judgment, allowing the full penalty to remain in place.
Justice Helen Whitener described Meta as a repeat offender with significant resources and noted the company's history of compliance issues under the state's campaign finance framework.
Meta Platforms expressed disappointment with the outcome and indicated it is reviewing the decision.
The company had argued that Washington's disclosure requirements raised constitutional concerns under the First Amendment and imposed burdens that were difficult to administer at scale.
The dispute reflects a broader national debate over transparency in political advertising on digital platforms.
Washington maintains some of the country's most stringent disclosure requirements for political ads, requiring detailed records that state officials argue are necessary to ensure public accountability during elections.
Related Tweet:
A split Washington state Supreme Court on Thursday upheld both Washington’s bedrock campaign finance law and a more than $35 million fine against Meta for repeatedly violating that law.
— The Seattle Times (@seattletimes) June 19, 2026
https://t.co/OBc9koAQFm
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