Santa Clara County, California, files a lawsuit against Meta Platforms, alleging the company knowingly facilitates and profits from scam advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. According to the complaint, scam ads target residents and other users through “high-risk” advertisements, and the county argues Meta does not adequately regulate or remove such content despite having mechanisms to detect it. Bloomberg reports the allegations include that Meta earns substantial revenue from these ads, with one figure cited that Meta can make up to about US$7 billion annually from “high-risk” scam advertising. The county seeks restitution for affected residents, civil damages, and an injunction requiring policy and operational changes related to enforcement against scam ads.
CNET similarly reports that the county is asking for remedies including restitution, damages, and changes to Meta’s policies. Al Jazeera frames the lawsuit as part of Meta’s broader legal challenges, pointing to a recent “landmark” ruling against major social media companies. The Next Web also describes the case as a lawsuit on behalf of California residents and says it is filed in California state court.
