Google, Meta Platforms, and TikTok are under fresh scrutiny in the European Union for allegedly insufficiently addressing financial scam advertisements on their platforms. Consumer advocacy groups across Europe have formally accused these tech giants of failing to protect users from fraudulent ads that can cause substantial monetary losses.
The complaints were submitted to the European Commission and national regulators under the Digital Services Act (DSA) by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) alongside 29 member organizations representing 27 European countries. These groups contend that the platforms are slow to remove scam-related content and often neglect to act even after receiving notifications, enabling fraudsters to target millions of users daily across Europe.
In a significant development, BEUC Director General Agustin Reyna warned that without stronger measures from these companies, online scammers will continue to reach vast audiences, putting consumers at risk of losing hundreds or even thousands of euros.
Meanwhile, the companies have rejected these allegations. Google stated that the complaint mischaracterizes its efforts, emphasizing that it blocks over 99 percent of ads violating its policies before users see them. Meta highlighted that it removed more than 159 million scam ads last year, with 92 percent taken down proactively before reports, and noted its use of advanced AI tools and partnerships to combat fraud. TikTok acknowledged taking action against violations but described scam activity as a broader industry challenge, pointing out that criminals frequently adapt their tactics.
BEUC, nearly 900 suspected scam ads were reported between December and March, yet only 27 percent were removed, while over half of the reports were either dismissed or ignored. Consumer groups are now calling on EU regulators to investigate the companies’ compliance with DSA regulations and to impose fines if violations are confirmed. Under the law, penalties can reach up to 6 percent of a company’s global annual revenue.
