Facebook finds itself again at the center of a controversy.
It’s as if the social media giant, which changed its name last October to become Meta Platforms (FB) – Get Meta Platforms Inc. Class A Report, was struggling to manage its practices.
Australia’s consumer watchdog (ACCC) has decided to sue Meta for allegedly “aided and abetted” celebrity scam ads on Facebook that have cost some Australians hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Meta “engaged in false, misleading or deceptive conduct by publishing scam advertisements featuring prominent Australian public figures,” the regulator argued in a press release.
The ACCC alleges that this conduct was in breach of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) or the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act (ASIC Act).
False Ads Associated with Celebrities
It is also alleged that Meta aided and abetted or was knowingly concerned in false or misleading conduct and representations by the advertisers.
“The ads, which promoted investment in cryptocurrency or money-making schemes, were likely to mislead Facebook users into believing the advertised schemes were associated with well-known people featured in the ads, such as businessman Dick Smith, TV presenter David Koch and former NSW Premier Mike Baird,” ACCC said.
Adding: “The schemes were in fact scams, and the people featured in the ads had never approved or endorsed them>
According to the regulator, the ads contained links which took Facebook users to a fake media article…
