The settlement between Smartmatic and One America News Network (OANN) marks another development as a result of the 2020 election and the subsequent legal battles over election coverage.
While the details of the settlement remain confidential, it comes despite a backdrop of lawsuits and controversies surrounding voting machine companies and media outlets.
Smartmatic’s lawsuit against OANN accused the network of spreading false information about the 2020 election, alleging that OANN knowingly perpetuated misinformation about voting machines and the election outcome.
Smartmatic (Credits: CNN)
This lawsuit is part of a broader legal strategy by Smartmatic to hold media outlets accountable for their reporting on election-related issues.
However, Smartmatic itself has faced scrutiny and controversy. Politico reported concerns over the security of Smartmatic’s technology, citing security flaws and ties to the Venezuelan government.
Additionally, Smartmatic has been embroiled in legal issues in the Philippines, where allegations of bribery surfaced in relation to election contracts.
OAN and Smartmatic settle election defamation case (Credits: CNN)
Former President Trump and his legal team had also raised allegations linking Smartmatic to Dominion Voting Systems, claiming that both companies were involved in manipulating election results.
However, these claims were refuted by Dominion and election officials, and Trump’s team failed to provide evidence to support their allegations.
Despite these controversies, Smartmatic maintains that it has operated within the bounds of the law and adhered to election regulations in the jurisdictions where it operates. The settlement with OANN represents a step towards resolving legal disputes arising from the contentious results of the 2020 election.
