"Internal Meta documents reviewed by Reuters revealed that the company projected in late 2024 that it would generate roughly 10% of its annual revenue-about $16 billion-through ads promoting scams and banned products. According to the report, the documents also show that billions of users on company platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp were exposed through ads to fraudulent e-commerce and investment schemes, illegal online gambling and banned medical products."
"From messages marked in this category, Meta earns approximately $7 billion annually. While it may appear that Meta was unaware the ads were scams, Reuters reported that the activity was flagged by the company's internal warning system designed to identify suspicious marketers. Meta only bans advertisers when its automated systems assess a 95% or higher likelihood of fraud. Advertisers deemed likely, but not certain, to be committing fraud are instead charged higher ad rates as a penalty."
Internal Meta documents projected in late 2024 that about 10% of annual revenue—roughly $16 billion—was generated through ads promoting scams and banned products. Billions of users on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp were exposed to fraudulent e-commerce and investment schemes, illegal online gambling and banned medical products. One December 2024 document estimated an average of 15 billion higher-risk scam ads displayed daily, with Meta earning about $7 billion from such messages. The company's internal warning system flagged suspicious marketers, but advertisers are only banned at a 95% or greater likelihood of fraud while likely offenders face higher ad rates. Algorithms amplify exposure by serving more fraudulent content after user interaction, and documents spanning 2021–2025 show tensions between profit and ad safety; a company spokesman disputed the figures.
Read at TheWrap
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