The attorney general of the U.S. Virgin Islands has filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms, accusing the company of knowingly allowing scam advertisements to proliferate on its social media platforms and failing to adequately protect children from harm. The lawsuit targets Meta’s flagship services, Facebook and Instagr
According to the complaint, Meta is alleged to have “knowingly and intentionally” exposed users to fraud, misleading ads, and other harmful content in order to maximize user engagement and, ultimately, advertising revenue. The lawsuit claims that despite being aware of widespread scams—including fake investment schemes, impersonation fraud, and deceptive promotions—Meta failed to take sufficient action to prevent such ads from reaching users.
The attorney general also raised concerns about risks to children, alleging that Meta did not implement strong enough safeguards to protect minors from harmful content, predatory behavior, and inappropriate advertising. The lawsuit argues that Meta’s business practices prioritized growth and profits over user safety, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Meta has previously said it invests heavily in content moderation, scam detection, and child safety tools. However, the case adds to mounting legal and regulatory pressure on the company in the United States and globally, as authorities increasingly scrutinize how social media platforms police fraud, advertising practices, and online harms involving children.
