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2 clusters · 15 sources · 8 days · First seen 8 days ago · Last updated about 14 hours ago

Meta regulatory and legal disputes over fraudulent ads

Overview

Regulatory and legal challenges regarding fraudulent advertising on Meta platforms have intensified in Europe.

In Poland, the government is seeking a fine of up to 250 million EUR against Meta following allegations that the company profits from scam advertisements, including deepfakes and fraudulent medical products. Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski stated the government aims to impose stricter controls to prevent platforms from profiting from such scams while working on legislation to strengthen national cybersecurity.

Concurrently, a court in Frankfurt, Germany, ruled that Meta is liable for fraudulent advertisements posted by third parties on Facebook and Instagram. The decision follows a lawsuit by the financial portal Finanzfluss and its founder, Thomas Kehl, who alleged that scammers used the company’s trademarked logo and Kehl’s image to promote deceptive investment schemes.

The court rejected Meta’s defense regarding its lack of knowledge under the Digital Services Act, stating that Meta’s use of algorithms to rank, time, and distribute content constitutes active control rather than acting as a passive intermediary. Consequently, Meta has been ordered to stop the distribution of these fake advertisements, pay damages for future harm caused by similar content, and disclose details regarding the fraudulent ads and the revenue they generated. Meta has expressed disagreement with the decision and is considering an appeal.

Entities

Meta · Meta Platforms · Finanzfluss · Landgericht Frankfurt am Main · Thomas Kehl

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 10 SOURCES] Meta is liable for fraudulent advertisements posted by third parties on Facebook and Instagram. www.beck-aktuell.de · n1info.ba · www.aftenposten.no · arynews.tv · www.epochtimes.de · +5 more
[● 10 SOURCES] Meta's use of algorithms to control the ranking and timing of ads means it exercises control over content, negating the Digital Services Act's lack-of-knowledge defense. www.beck-aktuell.de · n1info.ba · www.aftenposten.no · arynews.tv · www.epochtimes.de · +5 more
[● 4 SOURCES] The company Finanzfluss reported nearly 260 violations to Meta in August 2024 alone. n1info.ba · arynews.tv · www.epochtimes.de · www.timesnownews.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The court ordered Meta to cease the distribution of the fake ads and pay damages for future harm caused by similar content. www.aftenposten.no · arynews.tv · www.wz.de · www.n-tv.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Meta expressed disagreement with the ruling and is considering legal next steps, including a potential appeal. www.aftenposten.no · arynews.tv · www.timesnownews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Meta is ordered to disclose details regarding the fake advertisements and the revenue generated from them. arynews.tv · www.timesnownews.com

Timeline

about 14 hours ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 13 sources
Meta held liable by German court for fraudulent third-party ads
A German court ruled Meta is liable for fraudulent third-party ads on Facebook and Instagram that used Finanzfluss's logo and founder Thomas Kehl's image to promote fake investments.
8 days ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Meta faces potential 250 million EUR fine in Poland over scam ads
Polish officials are seeking a 250 million EUR fine against Meta following allegations by businessman Rafał Brzoska that the platform profits from fraudulent advertisements in Poland.

Sources

ad-hoc-news.de · arynews.tv · beck-aktuell.de · epochtimes.de · haber7.com · heute.de · mamma.no · n-tv.de · n1info.ba · saarbruecker-zeitung.de · superbiz.se.pl · timesnownews.com · tp-presseagentur.de · unione.com · wz.de

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history