On Tuesday, the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands officially initiated a lawsuit against Meta. The company, which owns Facebook and Instagram, is accused of knowingly reaping profits from fraudulent advertisements and neglecting to safeguard children on its social media platforms. The lawsuit contends that Meta deliberately subjected users to the risks of fraud and harm, with the aim of enhancing user engagement and driving up revenue. This legal action has been submitted to the Superior Court of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The complaint also references media reports indicating that Meta internally projected that up to 10% of its 2024 revenue, estimated at around $16 billion, could potentially stem from advertisements promoting scams, illegal gambling, and prohibited products. In response, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone asserted that the company is actively engaged in combating fraud and scams. He highlighted that user reports of fraud have plummeted by half over the past 18 months. Additionally, he refuted allegations that the company has failed to provide a secure environment for young users on its platforms.