A German court ruled Meta Platforms liable for fraudulent third-party advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. The court ordered the company to remove the fake ads and pay damages. Meta must also disclose specific advertisement details and the revenue generated from them.
The operator of a German financial portal initiated the lawsuit after its branding and founder’s image appeared in unauthorized investment posts. The court rejected Meta’s lack-of-knowledge defense under the Digital Services Act. Judges determined that Meta exercises control over content through its algorithms and advertising systems.
Meta stated it respectfully disagrees with the decision and is considering its next steps. The company noted it has taken significant action to detect and remove reported content. This ruling is not yet final and remains subject to appeal.