Ever since the 2016 election, rumors have circulated about possible Russian involvement. News sites wrote articles about ads and bots bought by Russian-linked accounts. The ads and bots were used to sway the election by targeting different politically charged groups with politically charged statements.

However, it wasn’t until this fall when the rumors became more concrete.

Facebook, the popular social media site, revealed in early Sept. that about 3,000 ads had been sold to a Russian company, and that the cost of the ads totaled to about $100,000. These ads focused on some of the “hot-button” issues that the 2016 election had brought up, such as gun control, immigration and racism. Facebook, in their post about the issue, claimed that they would try to stop further misuse of the site. They shared their findings with the special console that is currently investigating Russian involvement with the 2016 election.

Another popular social media site, Twitter, announced in late September that they had uncovered 200 plus Russian-linked bots. As seen with the ads on Facebook, the bots were focused on the 2016 election and the issues that were brought up with it. Twitter shared their findings with the special console as well.

Google also found Russian-linked ads. Like with Facebook and Twitter, the ads were used to bring up diversifying issues in the 2016 election.

In response to this, the special console, run by Robert Mueller, has requested the websites send representatives to a hearing Nov. 1, 2017 to discuss their lack of notice and their lack of action.

This has also brought up concerns about the websites. Until now, they have existed with limited rules in place about what their ad content can be, something that is unique when compared to TV or radio. These concerns are addressed, and given a possible solution, with the Honest Ads Act.

The Honest Ads Act gives internet websites, like Facebook and Twitter, regulations about their ad content. It would also enforce federal election laws that would stop foreign governments and people from interfering in an American election.