Santa Clara County Sues Meta over Alleged Scam Ads
KTVU Fox 2 | Santa Clara County has filed a lawsuit against Meta, alleging that the tech giant knowingly promotes and profits from billions of fraudulent ads targeting vulnerable users. Attorneys estimate that Meta generates $7 billion from scam ads every year.
Santa Clara County Counsel Tony LoPresti filed a landmark civil prosecution against Meta Platforms, Inc. “Meta has established a system for monetizing and profiting from fraud,” said LoPresti in the county’s press conference.
The action, which is the first brought in California and the first brought by a local civil prosecutor in the nation, alleges that Meta knowingly facilitates and profits from billions of scam advertisements on its popular Facebook and Instagram platforms that defraud seniors and families and squeeze legitimate small businesses out of fair access to consumers.
“They’re alleging that Meta not only allows the scam ads but that their algorithm actually optimized the ads and direct them to those who are most vulnerable,” said Anne Rubin, KTVU reporter.
“They are well aware that this is the type of scam that doesn’t end until these bad actors have stolen every penny you have,” said Erin West, founder of Operation Shamrock and a former Santa Clara County prosecutor. “We’ve seen suicides as a result of this. It’s horrible.”
“This is the first time we’ve seen a county stand up and say, ‘Absolutely not. Not on our watch anymore. You are going to have to pay for the damage you’ve done, and you need to change your ways,’” said West.
Watch the video: Santa Clara County Sues Meta over Alleged Scam Ads
