Complaints Filed with the DSA Against Meta, TikTok, and Google for Fraudulent Advertising
Consumer groups have filed complaints against Meta, TikTok, and Google for fraudulent advertisements under the DSA.
Consumer organizations have filed complaints against Meta, TikTok, and Google, accusing them of failing to adequately address fraudulent advertisements on their platforms. These complaints have been submitted to the European Commission and national authorities as part of the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Widespread Reports of Fraudulent Advertisements
According to research cited by the complaining organizations, nearly 900 suspicious ads were identified across 13 countries between December 2025 and March 2026. The complaints, filed by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and its partners, highlight an insufficient moderation rate for reported content. A relatively low proportion of these ads was removed, while many notifications were either dismissed or simply went unanswered.
A Call for Investigation and Enforcement of Rules
The organizations believe that this lack of response exposes users to large amounts of potentially fraudulent advertisements. They are therefore urging the European Commission and relevant authorities to conduct investigations to verify whether these platforms are meeting their obligations regarding the management of systemic risks and harmful content, as required by the DSA.
In the event that non-compliance is identified, consumer groups recommend the implementation of enforcement measures to ensure effective compliance. They argue that current moderation efforts are insufficient to mitigate the systemic risks associated with online financial fraud.
A Broader Issue of Accountability
This case raises crucial questions about the ability of major digital platforms to be held accountable for systemic risks, such as financial scams. The persistence of widespread fraudulent advertisements calls into question the effectiveness of current regulatory tools in consumer protection.
The situation also places increased pressure on the authorities responsible for enforcing the DSA, demanding that they go beyond mere complaint management to ensure meaningful and consistent compliance throughout the digital advertising ecosystem.
Geoffrey G.
