New Delhi, Mar 20: Social media giant Meta Platforms has intensified its action against illegal gambling and fraudulent advertisements across its platforms, following months of criticism from regulators and industry stakeholders.
The company, which operates popular platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, has faced sustained scrutiny over the presence of scam advertisements, including those promoting unregulated gambling services.
Regulators, including the UK Gambling Commission, have previously raised concerns about the persistence of such ads, questioning why platforms have struggled to curb content that is often identifiable.
As part of its latest enforcement push, Meta is reported to have removed approximately 159 million fraudulent advertisements and taken action against around 10.9 million accounts in 2025 alone, signalling a stronger stance against misuse of its services.
The development comes amid a broader global effort by technology companies to combat online scams, which have increasingly affected user trust and platform integrity.
Meta has also joined an international initiative led by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation to tackle fraud and digital scams.
The agreement was announced during a global fraud summit held in Vienna, Austria, where several major technology firms participated.
Companies including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and Pinterest are part of the initiative, which aims to improve coordination in identifying and removing fraudulent activities online.
The move is seen as an effort by Meta to address concerns over its past handling of scam content and to reinforce safeguards against illegal advertising practices, particularly in the gambling sector.
Officials and experts say sustained cooperation between governments and technology platforms will be key to curbing the spread of fraudulent advertisements and ensuring a safer digital environment for users worldwide.
