German court orders Meta to pay damages for fake investment ads
A German court ruled on Thursday that Meta is liable for fraudulent advertisements on Facebook and Instagram and ordered the company to remove such content and pay damages.
Court rejects lack of knowledge defence
The Frankfurt Regional Court stated that Meta cannot use its lack of knowledge as a defense because it exercises control over content through algorithms. The judge noted that the platform manages advertising practices differently than purely chronological feeds. This decision aligns with a precedent set by the European Court of Justice in June.
Company reported hundreds of violations
The plaintiffs reported nearly 260 violations to Meta in August 2024 alone. Despite these reports, some content remained online for up to 62 days before removal. The court found that unidentified users used the company's logo and founder images to promote fraudulent investment schemes.
Meta disputes liability and cites actions
A Meta spokesperson said the company disagrees with the decision and is considering next steps. The statement added that Meta has taken significant action including proactive detection measures. The ruling dated September 16 requires Meta to disclose details of the fake advertisements.
All 2 outlets report consistently
No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.
- Express Tribune
- Anadolu Agency
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2 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.