A Reuters investigation published today alleges Meta Platforms knowingly scaled back efforts to eliminate scam advertisements originating from China. This action was reportedly taken to protect the company’s advertising revenue.
The report cites internal company documents. These documents show Meta was aware that a significant portion of its ad revenue from China violated its own policies, specifically those related to scams and illegal gambling.
Internal communications reportedly show that after a brief crackdown, company leadership reversed the stricter enforcement. This reversal stemmed from concerns about the financial impact of a tougher approach. One executive was quoted as stating, "The levels that you're talking about are not defensible. I don't know how anyone could think this is okay."
Meta has issued no immediate official statement regarding these specific allegations. There has been no observable market reaction.