每天150亿条,Meta的诈骗广告帝国

Core Insights - Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, reach nearly half of the global population but are facing a significant trust crisis due to the prevalence of fraudulent advertisements [1][3][4] - Approximately 10% of Meta's total revenue in 2024, equating to $16 billion, was generated from ads suspected of fraud, highlighting the company's structural reliance on "violating income" [3][4] Summary by Sections Fraudulent Advertising - Meta displays around 15 billion suspected fraudulent ads daily, contributing significantly to its revenue [1][3] - The types of scams include fake investment schemes, illegal online casinos, and impersonation of well-known brands or public figures [3][4] - Fraudsters have created fake accounts impersonating U.S. military personnel, sending millions of messages weekly to deceive users [3] Internal Mechanisms and Revenue - Meta's internal mechanisms allow for the circulation of fraudulent ads, only banning accounts with a 95% likelihood of fraud [3][4] - The "punitive bidding" mechanism allows Meta to charge higher fees to suspicious accounts, generating substantial revenue from high-risk ads, estimated at $3.5 billion every six months [3][4] User Experience and Algorithmic Impact - Meta's personalized advertising system inadvertently promotes the spread of fraudulent content, creating a cycle where users are continuously exposed to similar scams [4][5] - A report indicated that about one-third of successful scams in the U.S. are linked to Meta's products, with the platform being deemed easier for fraud than Google [4][5] Company Response and Challenges - In response to external criticism, Meta's spokesperson claimed that the reported 10% revenue from fraudulent ads was an overestimation, asserting a 58% decrease in user complaints about such ads over the past 18 months [7] - Meta's internal documents reveal a plan to reduce the share of violating ad revenue from 10.1% in 2024 to 7.3% by the end of 2025, with a long-term goal of 5.8% by 2027 [7][11] Regulatory Environment and Comparisons - The regulatory landscape for Meta is complex, with varying enforcement standards across jurisdictions, unlike the swift regulatory response seen in China's internet sector [8][11] - Experts have criticized Meta for profiting from fraudulent sources, calling for stricter regulations and potential fines in the billions [9][11] Trust and Responsibility - The crisis surrounding fraudulent ads raises fundamental questions about the balance between technological advancement and user safety [12][14] - Internal documents indicate that Meta is aware of its role in facilitating fraud, with a significant portion of successful scams linked to its platforms [12][14] Conclusion - The situation underscores a critical issue: the need for technology to serve its intended purpose without compromising user trust, as the loss of trust could undermine the entire digital ecosystem [13][14]