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Meta regulatory and legal disputes over fraudulent ads

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2026-10-14 10:34 UTC → 2026-11-01 14:06 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Regulatory and legal challenges regarding fraudulent advertising on Meta platforms have intensified in across 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. ~~Analysts estimate that~~ While Meta has denied claims that its earnings from such ads are as high as 20 million PLN daily, analysts estimate the company may have earned approximately 760 million PLN in a single year from fraudulent advertisements in ~~Poland.~~ the country. These scams, which reportedly accounted for over 10% of ~~the country’s~~ Poland’s total advertising reach, involve sophisticated AI-driven traps such as fake investment platforms and counterfeit stores. 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. Recent investigations traps. Investigations by CERT Polska have also exposed a large-scale toll fraud operation targeting Android users via Meta ~~advertisements. This scheme involved 1,235 ads directing users to 17~~ ads, involving malicious applications on the Google Play Store. Deceptive ads, such as false warnings regarding expired PDF applications, prompted users to install apps like ‘Messenger Pro’. These apps could then manage SMS traffic to enroll that enrolled users in premium-rate services without ~~consent, charging approximately 30.75 PLN per message or recurring weekly fees of 17 PLN. Both Google and Meta have since removed the implicated advertisements and applications.~~ consent. In Germany, ~~legal precedents regarding platform liability are strengthening. The~~ the Frankfurt Regional Court has ~~ruled that~~ issued landmark rulings holding Meta is liable for fraudulent third-party advertisements ~~posted by third parties~~ on Facebook and ~~Instagram, determining~~ Instagram. The court determined that ~~Meta’s automated auctions and~~ because Meta uses algorithms ~~constitute~~ to control the ranking and distribution of content, it exercises active ~~control. A subsequent landmark ruling reinforced that providers like Facebook~~ control rather than acting as a neutral intermediary under the Digital Services Act. Meta has been ordered to stop the distribution of such ads, pay damages, and ~~Instagram can be held responsible~~ disclose related revenue, with potential administrative fines for ~~fake advertisements because they use algorithms to deliver content while generating commercial revenue.~~ future violations. In Scandinavia, media organizations are taking legal ~~action against Meta.~~ action. The Norwegian Media Business Association, along with NRK and Norsk Presseforbund, issued a formal legal warning to Meta regarding fraudulent ads that impersonate Norwegian news outlets. In Sweden, prosecutors are investigating reports of similar fraudulent activities.

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