Meta Sued by California County Over Alleged Scam Ads on Social Media
Meta Sued by California County Over Alleged Scam Ads on Social Media
Publish Date: 2026-05-11 18:57:00
Source Domain: www.cnet.com
- Santa Clara County in California filed a lawsuit against Meta, accusing the company of knowingly profiting from scam advertisements on Facebook and Instagram.
- The lawsuit claims these practices violate California’s false advertising laws and seeks restitution, civil damages, and a permanent order for Meta to cease such activities.
- According to leaked documents cited by Reuters, Meta reportedly earns nearly $7 billion annually from misleading ads.
- The complaint highlights that Meta employed AI and targeting tools to associate vulnerable users with fraudulent ads, allegedly prioritizing financial gains over user safety.
- Meta denies the claims, asserting it actively combats scams on its platforms, having removed over 159 million scam ads last year.
- Santa Clara County, represented by three law firms, aims to hold Meta accountable on behalf of all California residents.
