· 52 comments · Save ·
News & Current Events May 11, 2026 at 3:25 PM

California county sues Meta over scam ads

Posted by Sweaty_Rub4322

🚩 Report this post

52 Comments

Sign in to comment — or just click the box below.
🔒 Your email is never shown publicly.
27Silver May 11, 2026 +191
Opened Facebook yesterday, it was filled with AI slop of Mark Carney, crypto scam and shady betting ads. I deleted the app.
191
AlyadaHatchet May 11, 2026 +62
Can confirm. Whenever I go to FB to check on family stuff, I'm fed nonstop AI slop Jesus content. It's revolting. 
62
RPDRNick May 11, 2026 +28
But if you don't check it every day, you'll get an alert that someone who you barely know and haven't seen in twelve years just "updated their story" or whatever the f***.
28
dog_of_society May 11, 2026 +4
I have a Facebook account because my job uses Messenger. Never check it otherwise. Fine, whatever. I still get email spam reminding me I have "one new notification" that I've probably had for months at this point.
4
ArchmageXin May 12, 2026 +1
I logged in once there was a doom video about a conflict about US and China. Except the AI couldn't even get the damn flags right. The Chinese flag apparently stole Taiwan's white sun and America's strips, half of America's flag got painted red and is rocking China's 5 stars. And Taiwan is now rocking all 50 American stars ...on the bottom right corner instead of upper left. They could at least take 5 minutes to doom prompt properly.
1
Foxhack May 11, 2026 +6
Youtube (on my TV) is pretty much the same. But Youtube doesn't have a way to block these ads anymore. Before I could just tell it to never show me that trash again, but they took that option out!
6
GavrielLoken- May 11, 2026 +6
If you have the knowhow/control over your router, I would strongly suggest setting up piHole or something similar. It's an adblock at a network level that you can control, makes smart-tvs a little more bearable 
6
Foxhack May 11, 2026 +2
Thanks, I looked into it a while back, and found out my ISP's routers block pihole. They're locked down tight. :\
2
axonxorz May 11, 2026 +1
You can't pick DNS servers for the local LAN DHCP server?
1
Foxhack May 12, 2026 +2
I have no idea what any of those words mean. :(
2
alwayswatchyoursix May 12, 2026 +2
Youtube is the toxic member in my family. My dad watches "the news" on it. Holy hell some of the propaganda on there is unbelievable.
2
Area51_Spurs May 11, 2026 +20
Unfortunately for a lot of people, we’re still on the platform because of groups we’re in and when you try to move to a new platform 90%+++ won’t or are older and can’t figure anything else out. I’m in some FB groups that tried to move to Discord and it completely stalls out. A lot of these people are Gen X, who honestly don’t get as much shit as they need to for being, for the most part, just as absolutely useless with technology.
20
AlbertaNorth1 May 12, 2026 +2
I get illegal drug ads, p*** and hookers. Not complaining but it’s pretty weird.
2
AdCreepy5165 May 11, 2026 +3
I wish I could. It comes integrated into some android phones now.
3
Antistis May 11, 2026 +20
Disable the app, remove all permissions.
20
lII1lIIl1IIll1Il11l May 11, 2026 +1
I don't know people still use it when it turns out Meta had the camera on and was recording when people were using it while on the toilet. For those unaware, google mark zuckerberg wants to watch you poop
1
ArchitectofExperienc May 11, 2026 +151
F*cking Finally This report got buried last November, but there were some leaked internal Meta documents that revealed some absolutely mind-boggling stats about their ad systems. **Source:** https://www.reuters.com/investigations/meta-is-earning-fortune-deluge-fraudulent-ads-documents-show-2025-11-06/ - 10% of Meta’s total revenue in 2024 came from ads that were identified by Meta as being fraudulent, or linked to scams. *(Appx $16 Billion)* - A May 2025 presentation by its safety staff estimated that the company’s platforms were involved in **a third of all successful scams in the U.S.** - In Britain, a regulator last year said it found that Meta’s products were involved in 54% of all payments-related scam losses in 2023, more than double all other social platforms combined. - Meta also was ignoring the vast majority of user reports of scams, a document from 2023 indicates. By that year, safety staffers estimated that Facebook and Instagram users each week were filing about 100,000 valid reports of fraudsters messaging them, the document says. But Meta ignored or incorrectly rejected 96% of them.
151
KamikazeArchon May 11, 2026 +19
The first and last points are relevant. The middle two are not, at least without additional context. For example, if there's one ISP in a nation, it will be involved in 100% of all Internet scams in that nation. That doesn't indicate a problem with its protections, just the nature of being the sole platform. The "third" and "54%" stats mean nothing without context of reach. If Facebook is 10% of social media but 54% of scams, it's got a scam problem. If it's 90% of social media but 54% of scams, then it's actually the safest.
19
ArchitectofExperienc May 11, 2026 +20
For what its worth, the UK has appx 40% of their population on facebook and between 50-60% on Instagram. In the US, 65-70% use facebook, and between 50-60% use IG. There is some fairly large variation in their numbers, due to some different numbers in Meta's reported stats and the inclusion of duplicate and bot accounts. Part of the issue is that Meta has already identified the accounts and ad suite users who are most likely committing some kind of money-based fraud, and all Meta did was charge them more. This is probably what the case will focus on: Meta chose to profit from the people using their platform for fraud.
20
peritonlogon May 11, 2026 +7
That's only if every scam came from social media. And even if social media was responsible for 100% of scams, Meta was 90% of social media, but only 54% of scams, they should still be held responsible for enabling 54% of scams. Just because your industry is a cesspool doesn't mean the cleanest cesspool isn't shit filled.
7
Area51_Spurs May 11, 2026 +260
In any other industry you hire people to handle the advertising buys on your platform. Whether a radio station or tv station or a venue. And if you have more ad time than your current number of employees you hire more. This used to be handled by people who did it as a job. Same gist as moderating platforms. You hire people and pay them a good wage and they do the job. You have too many ad buys or too much moderation needed? You hire more people. But big tech has made it not just acceptable, but standard business practice to either automate everything or outsource it to people making a buck or two an hour in Mumbai. Then they act like the company is not responsible for the things it does. We really need to hit these companies hard enough they’re forced to hire people to do the jobs that should exist.
260
colemon1991 May 11, 2026 +63
Drives me up a wall when a company, that you pay to do a service, refuses to accept blame for mistakes but wants credit for the success. "Oh we're not using slave labor, it's the contractor we hired." That means you're using slave labor with an extra step!
63
TheGlassHammer May 11, 2026 +19
Right it’s your due diligence to make sure the people you are working with aren’t committing crimes against humanity. Like that should be the bear minimum
19
colemon1991 May 11, 2026 +9
And the lack of supervision after getting caught. It's so easy to just change a name and keep everyone involved and contract them again. That's how the copper sock company stays around: changing its name constantly.
9
SoSKatan May 11, 2026 +24
Good news! they will soon be able to outsource this all to AI. /s
24
roxas_leonhart May 11, 2026 +6
Maybe I should start a company called Mumb.ai
6
lookatthesunguys May 11, 2026 +6
Yeah, but there used to be direct business consequences for that type of thing. People would avoid websites with a lot of ads. Particularly websites with a lot of scam ads. Part of the reason streaming services grew to prominence was because the websites where you could get that stuff for free (piracy websites) were full of scam ads and the interface was designed in such a way that you might believe those ads were real things. Again, to reiterate, a whole industry grew out of the desire to avoid those websites. The ads didn't even interrupt the videos. They were just so generally annoying that people were willing to spend $7 a month not to deal with them. Now though, these tech titans have taken over and there's no where to turn really. If you like the people you know on Facebook, you can't really get them all to switch to some new thing. There needs to be antitrust action. The fact that people tolerate this type of bullshit is Exhibit A of why these companies need to be broken up.
6
Deceptiveideas May 11, 2026 +3
This happened to a friend at a neighboring apartment complex. The apartment partnered with a cleaning company to offer services at discounted rates. They handed out flyers and put up ads. My friend hired them, and the cleaning company made a big mistake. They left the trash in a random hallway because they didn't know where the trash room was (despite saying they did) instead of the garbage room. The apartment complex charged my friend $75 per item, leading to a $300 charge. The apartment initially tried to waive the fee due to the partnership, but then backed out of it. My friend is now trying to talk to both the apartment management and cleaning company to find a resolution.
3
Landkval May 11, 2026 +1
If all the other companies could, they also would. Dont be silly dude, its just that automation in blue collar work is much more expensive.
1
Historical_Lab8619 May 11, 2026 +49
Meta doesn't care how many times you flag scams. The scammers pay Meta for ad space, so they will continue to have free reign....
49
PepperMill_NA May 11, 2026 +18
Yeah, that's essentially what the article is reporting. In addition Meta actively helped the scammers.
18
inraiolawetrust May 11, 2026 +18
I’ve noticed a ton of scam ads on YouTube too. Like who tf approves that shit ? Clearly using AI and clearly a scam
18
008Zulu May 11, 2026 +10
Scammer: I want to run this ad on your service. Company: Is it a scam? Scammer: I will pay you in non-sequential bills. Company: Let's get your ad out there!
10
specialvillain May 11, 2026 +1
Also could just be Google Pmax doing it's thing. It does kind of wacky shit sometimes based on brand assets you give it.
1
Numerous_Photograph9 May 11, 2026 +24
Are these the one's where someone hacks people's accounts, serves inappropriate ads, and Facebook just bans their accounts through their non-human "appeals process"?
24
rockmasterflex May 11, 2026 +4
Meanwhile ifyou have legitimate ads to run you have to submit insane documentation to verify yourself…
4
NewsCards May 11, 2026 +6
> the county will retain full control over decisions involving the case, LoPresti said, and ​the firms will only be paid if the county wins. Good, unleash the lawyers on the scum.
6
leova May 11, 2026 +8
Every report I’ve ever sent was denied F zuck
8
Doom-Sleigher May 11, 2026 +7
Meta is for pedo supporters and losers
7
Time-Industry-1364 May 11, 2026 +10
Facebook has become nothing more than absolute AI slop and scams. Zuckerburg seems to think this is what people want and is "engaging content"
10
Ok_Mathematician938 May 11, 2026 +10
Like some of these gacha games that prey on people that are susceptible to gambling addictions?
10
Esreversti May 11, 2026 +3
I'm surprised that they aren't trying to crack down as it lowers user trust in ads though if payment towards Facebook is based on views and not clicks I can see Meta not caring.
3
CharlesP2009 May 11, 2026 +5
Companies today value a fast nickel over a slow dime. In fact, they’ll take just one single nickel NOW and give up a lifetime of dimes in the future.
5
SirLoremIpsum May 11, 2026 +2
> I'm surprised that they aren't trying to crack down as it lowers user trust in ads though if payment towards Facebook is based on views and not clicks I can see Meta not caring. If it lost them $$ they'd care. It doesn't. So they don't.  I am 900% sure they'd internally done the math ala Fight Club insurance payouts and they make more $$ allowing ads and scams than fighting it
2
evissamassive May 11, 2026 +3
Anyone who thinks Zuckerberg didn't steal the idea for Facebook is an imbecile.
3
chaddwith2ds May 11, 2026 +3
I've seen these scam ads! I've seen ads for robot toys that are clearly just AI videos. I report them and Facebook will get back to me 100% of the time saying they found the ad did not violate their terms of service and took no action.
3
sonicneedslovetoo May 11, 2026 +2
I had to have my mother remove youtube because the first thing you see opening it up on android is one of those "you need to update" ads that mimics actual android update screens in full screen with small text at the bottom that says "sponsored".
2
xav13r76 May 11, 2026 +2
Another make $100m off ad revenue and pay $10m penalty
2
Ozdad May 11, 2026 +1
You put Google ads on your website and they serve up such c***, it destroys the value of what could be an effective platform for legit advertising that is relevant to your readers.
1
Prudent_Rice7840 May 11, 2026 +1
Santa Clara flipping off San Mateo
1
pcurve May 12, 2026 +1
Their business model revolves around scamming other businesses to throw away money.
1
Curious-Emu3894 May 11, 2026 +1
Welcome to capitalism where scam ads run rampant because investors need profits at all costs. Want to be rid of scam ads? Bring back the days where drone wasn’t a money hungry CEO getting paid absurd amounts of money for no f****** reason while not paying your God damn employees; only investors. Most Americans will NEVER see an “American Dream” because capitalism is meant to destroy the small guys while enriching the rich.
1
← Back to Board