Dealing with fake accounts has been a major problem faced by tech companies like Facebook. Considering this, the social media giant has filed a lawsuit against three individual and four companies in the US federal court.
These companies and individuals are suspected of promoting and selling fake accounts, likes, and followers on various online social platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Amazon, LinkedIn, and others. The defendants provide online advertising services and are identified as hardware and electronics manufacturers.
Facebook explained the way these fake accounts can be used for phishing and spamming, advertising frauds and other illegal activities. By filing the lawsuit, the company wants to make clear that such fraud activities will not be tolerated. As it is already facing issues related to fake news distribution on the platform and other conflicts leading to lack of harmony online.
To back up their point, Facebook mentioned in its complaint that from January to September 2018, it has disabled millions of inauthentic accounts on the platform using artificial intelligence. The company is unable to tackle the issue until other entities will keep promoting fake accounts.
In its complaint, Facebook has asked the court to stop defendants from providing illegal services of selling fake likes, followers and fake profiles. It also has demanded to prevent the breach of its trademark and stop using Facebook-branded domains.
Photo: AP Photo/Elise Amendola
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These companies and individuals are suspected of promoting and selling fake accounts, likes, and followers on various online social platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Amazon, LinkedIn, and others. The defendants provide online advertising services and are identified as hardware and electronics manufacturers.
Facebook explained the way these fake accounts can be used for phishing and spamming, advertising frauds and other illegal activities. By filing the lawsuit, the company wants to make clear that such fraud activities will not be tolerated. As it is already facing issues related to fake news distribution on the platform and other conflicts leading to lack of harmony online.
To back up their point, Facebook mentioned in its complaint that from January to September 2018, it has disabled millions of inauthentic accounts on the platform using artificial intelligence. The company is unable to tackle the issue until other entities will keep promoting fake accounts.
In its complaint, Facebook has asked the court to stop defendants from providing illegal services of selling fake likes, followers and fake profiles. It also has demanded to prevent the breach of its trademark and stop using Facebook-branded domains.
"Inauthentic activity has no place on our platform.", explained Paul Grewal, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Litigation in a blog post on Facebook. Adding further, "Today’s lawsuit is one more step in our ongoing efforts to protect people on Facebook and Instagram."
Photo: AP Photo/Elise Amendola
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