Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has filed a lawsuit against Meta, alleging violations of the state's Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The legal action claims that the company facilitates the creation, optimization, and distribution of fraudulent advertisements, leading to significant financial losses for consumers.
The complaint asserts that Meta utilizes personal user data to identify and target vulnerable individuals who are most likely to engage with deceptive content. According to the Attorney General, the platform provides technical support to advertisers to maximize the reach of these scams, allowing the company to profit from such activities.
Rhode Island is seeking a court ruling to declare Meta's actions illegal and to impose civil penalties for each violation. The state is also requesting an injunction, restitution for affected consumers, the disgorgement of ill-gotten gains with interest, and the appointment of an independent third-party monitor to oversee the company's advertising practices.
