Australia’s competition watchdog has alleged that a significant 58% of cryptocurrency advertisements on Facebook are either fraudulent or breach Meta’s advertising policies, causing a considerable uproar. This grave claim stems from preliminary investigations conducted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Meta’s Legal Challenges
Back in 2022, the ACCC initiated legal action against Meta, Facebook’s parent company, accusing it of facilitating and hosting scam cryptocurrency advertisements leveraging the names of celebrities. While no trial date has yet been established, the Commission’s latest filing indicates that over half of the scrutinized ads were either in violation of Meta’s Advertising Policies or outright fraudulent.
These deceptive advertisements exploit the reputations of well-known Australians, including businessman Dick Smith, billionaire James Packer, and Hollywood actors Chris Hemsworth, Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and former politician Mike Baird.
The Magnitude of Fraud
Although specific financial losses due to these scams haven’t been disclosed, the Australian government’s Scamwatch website reveals that investment scams are a leading cause of financial loss among Australians. By 2024, there were 3,456 complaints related to investment scams, with reported losses surpassing $78 million.
During its investigation, the ACCC identified 600 ads but is currently concentrating on 234. Additional celebrity-related scams could surface as the process continues. In a related case, Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest sued Meta in December 2023 for using his image in deep fake cryptocurrency scam ads. Initially dismissed, the case was allowed to proceed by a US judge in June.
Meta’s Accountability
The ACCC asserts that since January 2018, Meta has been aware of the misleading or deceptive nature of a significant portion of cryptocurrency ads on Facebook. Despite this, these ads persisted, with Meta believed to have the technology to flag suspicious advertisements. Meta claims to have invested in systems to prevent fraudsters from accessing the platform, having deleted millions of fake accounts in recent years.
Critical Insights
Key takeaways from the situation include:
- Australia’s ACCC asserts that 58% of Facebook’s crypto ads are either fraudulent or policy-violating.
- Meta faces legal action for allegedly facilitating scam ads that use celebrity names.
- Investment scams have led to financial losses exceeding $78 million by 2024.
Conclusion
The ongoing legal battles and significant financial losses underscore the pressing need for stricter regulations and oversight on digital advertising platforms. The ACCC’s allegations against Meta highlight the broader issue of online advertising fraud and the responsibility of tech giants in monitoring and preventing deceptive practices.
