Meta Files Lawsuits Over Fake Celebrity Ads in Brazil and China

Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has filed lawsuits against advertisers in Brazil and China for using AI‑generated deepfake videos and images of celebrities to promote fraudulent products and schemes. The move comes amid a rise in scams that use manipulated content to trick social media users into believing fake endorsements.

The legal action targets multiple operations that impersonated public figures and brands to lure people into scams. In Brazil, some ads used the likeness of a well-known doctor to sell unapproved health products, while other campaigns promoted fake online courses teaching deceptive methods.

Meta said its lawsuits hold both companies and individuals accountable for creating and spreading these “celebrity‑bait” ads. The practice exploits the reach and influence of social media to make scams appear legitimate and trustworthy.

In China, some defendants are accused of using celebrity deepfakes to drive people toward bogus investment groups targeting users in several countries. Meta emphasized that it aims to discourage misuse of its platforms and protect users from fraudulent schemes.

The company also highlighted ongoing investments in technology to detect deceptive content, alongside enforcement actions such as disabling scam accounts and blocking related payment methods. Meta’s approach combines legal action and technological safeguards to combat online fraud effectively.