Poland has requested that the European Commission impose a €250 million fine on Meta Platforms for failing to remove fraudulent advertisements from its social media services.

Key Points

• Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski cited tests by CERT Polska identifying 122 fraudulent advertisements on Meta platforms.
• Data shows Meta failed to remove 106 of the reported fraudulent ads, representing an 86.8% inaction rate.
• The Polish government is seeking a €250 million penalty to serve as a deterrent against deceptive advertising practices.
• Minister Gawkowski plans to lobby European leaders at the upcoming G20 summit to form a unified front against Meta’s content moderation policies.
• A Warsaw appellate court ruled in April 2024 that Meta holds responsibility for the advertisements hosted on its platforms.

Why it Matters

This request highlights growing regulatory pressure on Meta regarding its accountability for user-generated content and deceptive advertising. If the European Commission pursues the fine, it could set a significant legal precedent for how tech giants are held liable for fraudulent activity across the European Union.