从诈骗广告中获利?美参议员呼吁调查Meta

Core Viewpoint - U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal have called for a formal investigation into Meta by the FTC and SEC, alleging that the company profits significantly from fraudulent advertisements and fails to adequately protect consumers [2][4]. Group 1: Allegations Against Meta - Meta is accused of generating approximately 10% of its annual revenue, amounting to $16 billion, from illegal advertisements in 2024 [4]. - The company reportedly earns around $3.5 billion every six months from "high-risk" fraudulent advertisements [4]. - Internal documents suggest that Meta's anti-fraud enforcement is influenced by a "revenue red line," where actions that could result in more than a 0.15% loss in advertising revenue are not taken [4]. Group 2: Impact on Consumers - Senators claim that Meta's platforms are linked to one-third of successful fraud cases in the U.S., potentially correlating with over $50 billion in consumer economic losses based on FTC estimates of $158.3 billion in total fraud losses [5]. - In the UK, Meta's platforms are associated with 54% of payment-related fraud, according to a 2024 report [5]. - A Morgan Stanley survey indicates that nearly half of the fraud cases on the Zelle payment platform are related to Meta's services [5]. Group 3: Meta's Response and Criticism - Meta's spokesperson claims that the senators' statements are exaggerated and incorrect, noting a 58% decrease in fraud reports received over the past 18 months [6]. - Senators question Meta's commitment to combating fraud, citing significant layoffs in safety and compliance roles while investing heavily in generative AI [7]. - The senators argue that Meta's focus on short-term regulatory risks and the allocation of only $1 billion for potential fines is insufficient compared to the $7 billion annual revenue from high-risk advertisements [7]. Group 4: Call for Investigation - Senators urge the FTC and SEC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into Meta's reliance on fraudulent advertisements and inadequate anti-fraud measures [7]. - They recommend severe penalties if the investigation confirms the allegations, including the recovery of illegal advertising profits, substantial civil fines, and accountability for executives [7].