Gate News message, April 17 — Australian billionaire and mining executive Andrew Forrest is challenging Meta in court, asking a judge to rule that the platform cannot use Section 230 protections to avoid liability for deceptive Facebook ads that used his image to promote cryptocurrency and financial scams. According to the suit, thousands of paid ads have used Forrest’s likeness since 2019, with Meta’s ad tools helping to optimize, personalize, and distribute the fraudulent content.
Meta argues that advertisers created the ads, not the company, and that it took reasonable steps to preserve relevant data. However, a federal judge found a factual dispute over Meta’s role, stating that if Meta’s ad-creation and optimization tools helped produce the allegedly illegal content, Section 230 protections may not apply at the motion-to-dismiss stage. The judge allowed Forrest’s claims, including negligence and misappropriation, to proceed, with a ruling expected in the coming weeks.
The case is part of a broader legal strategy to narrow Section 230 defenses by targeting platform design and systems rather than treating platforms as passive publishers. Other plaintiffs are now citing this ruling in similar cases involving Meta’s ad tools, raising concerns that platforms could face significantly increased liability for third-party advertisements they help optimize or distribute.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Tennessee Becomes Second U.S. State to Ban Crypto ATMs; Violations Carry Class A Misdemeanor
Gate News message, April 26 — Tennessee has become the second U.S. state to outright ban crypto ATMs statewide, with Governor Bill Lee signing House Bill 2505 into law on April 13. The measure, which passed both chambers unanimously, officially takes effect on July 1.
The law prohibits the
GateNews2h ago
U.S. DOJ Drops Criminal Probe Into Fed Chair Powell, Clearing Path for Crypto-Friendly Kevin Warsh Confirmation
Gate News message, April 26 — The U.S. Department of Justice has dropped its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday (April 25), clearing the way for the Senate to confirm incoming central bank chair Kevin Warsh. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine
GateNews4h ago
US Sanctions Iran-Linked Crypto Wallets; Tether Freezes $344 Million in USDT
Gate News message, April 26 — U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the federal government is sanctioning multiple wallets linked to Iran as part of efforts to increase economic pressure on the country. The move follows Tether's decision on Thursday, April 24, to freeze $344 million w
GateNews4h ago
Two South Korean Army Officers Sentenced to 2 Years for Illegal Crypto Exchange Operations and Drug Money Laundering
Gate News message, April 26 — Two active-duty South Korean Army officers in their 30s from the Special Warfare Command were each sentenced to two years in prison and fined 54.69 million Korean won by Changwon District Court on April 26 for operating an unlicensed virtual asset exchange and
GateNews4h ago
Brazil Bans Polymarket, Kalshi in Prediction Market Crackdown
Brazil has enacted a sweeping ban on prediction markets and betting platforms, according to local media and government filings. The Banco Central do Brasil issued a resolution prohibiting the two leading prediction markets, Polymarket and Kalshi, from operating in the country due to non-compliance w
CryptoFrontier5h ago
SEC Chair Paul Atkins Announces Digital Asset Classification Framework with CFTC
Gate News message, April 26 — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins has reaffirmed efforts to advance "Project Crypto" and announced a joint initiative with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to establish a digital asset classification framework that will clarify
GateNews6h ago
