Polish billionaire Rafal Brzoska and his wife, journalist Omenaa Mensah, are gearing up to take legal action against Meta Platforms over fake advertisements that have been circulating on Facebook and Instagram, exploiting their images to spread false information.
The couple’s decision to pursue a lawsuit follows an order from Poland’s Personal Data Protection Office (UODO), which recently mandated that Meta Platforms Ireland suspend the display of these misleading ads for a period of three months.
Rafal Brzoska, the founder and CEO of InPost, a prominent Polish logistics and postal locker company, revealed that while the couple has not yet chosen the jurisdiction for their legal battle, they are committed to seeking justice. “We plan to file a private lawsuit against Meta. We have not yet determined in which jurisdictions we will sue Meta. We will decide in the next few weeks,” Brzoska stated. He added that they are considering all options, including a potential lawsuit in the United States if European efforts do not yield results.
The planned lawsuit aims to stop Meta from profiting from content that infringes upon their rights. Additionally, they seek a significant donation from Meta to a charity, proportionate to the advertising revenue generated from these misleading ads.
Mensah, who has identified 263 ads that continue to circulate, expressed concerns over the severe impact on her safety, privacy, and emotional well-being. The UODO reported that these ads falsely claim Mensah’s death and allege abuse by her husband, exacerbating the couple’s distress.
Meta, in response to the UODO order, stated that it is reviewing the complaint. The company acknowledged the ongoing issue of scammers exploiting its platforms and emphasized that such scam content violates its policies. “We remove it when we find it,” Meta said in a statement.
The situation highlights the growing scrutiny social media platforms face over their failure to curb the spread of misinformation. This issue has recently gained attention in the UK, where social media-fueled disinformation has been linked to nationwide violence.
In response to these challenges, the European Union has introduced the Digital Services Act (DSA), imposing stricter legal responsibilities on major online platforms. However, enforcing these regulations remains a complex task. Similarly, the UK’s Online Safety Act, expected to be fully implemented next year, aims to introduce comparable controls.
As Brzoska and Mensah prepare for their legal battle, their case underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to combat misinformation and protect individuals from the harmful effects of online disinformation.
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