FEC seeks ‘biggest expansion’ of internet regulation

The Federal Election Commission, which hasn’t updated internet regulations significantly since 2006, is eyeing new rules that a key member has warned will crush online political speech.

“If adopted, this proposed final rule would be the biggest expansion of FEC regulation over the internet in decades,” Republican Commissioner Sean Cooksey warned.

At issue is a plan to adopt disclaimer requirements for small digital advertisements, expanding full regulation to all online political messages “promoted” even when no money is involved.