The Sponsored Disclosure Dilemma: Why Your 'Sponsored' Post Now Requires a Notary, a Blood Sample, and a Performance Art Piece About Transparency
SANTA MONICA — In a move that will have content creators weeping into their overpriced coffee machines, the FTC just announced a new disclosure requirement that makes “sponsored” the most bureaucratic word in the English language.
Starting July 1st, any post containing the word “sponsored” must be accompanied by a notarized statement confirming the creator has no “undisclosed emotional investment” in the product, a 72-hour period where the creator must demonstrate their genuine enthusiasm in front of a live audience, and a signed affidavit stating they haven’t received any “non-disclosed benefits” from the brand within the last 11 months.